Dear Lookout Readers and Members of the Defence Community,
As many of you are aware, if you are a reader of the print version of this newspaper, you are reading one of the last editions of the Lookout that will roll off a traditional press. Effective April 6, 2026, the Lookout Navy News will transition to a predominantly digital publication from its past paper format.
This decision, made in close consultation with the Lookout team and PSP Esquimalt, was not taken lightly. The final print edition on March 23, 2026 will come almost 82 years to the day that the first Lookout Newspaper arrived at Canadian naval shore facilities in Victoria, decades before Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt was formally named. While the broader circumstances driving this shift stem from the well-known challenges facing legacy media, particularly newspapers, it remains a sombre and significant moment for a storied institution woven deeply into the fabric of the Base and the lives of past and present members.
We are acutely aware of the potential impacts this change may have on our loyal readers, many of whom hold the ink and feel of newsprint as fundamental to the Lookout’s identity. We know many of our readers appreciate the feel of newsprint and the ritual of picking up a physical paper. That tradition has been an important part of the Lookout’s identity, and we’re grateful for the loyalty and connection it represents. At the same time, evolving habits in how people consume information present us with an opportunity to modernize while building on the strengths that have carried us through eight decades.
This transition is about growth — not loss. In 2026, the Lookout moves toward a digital-first model that prioritizes accessible, timely, and engaging storytelling through our website, e-editions, and social media. This shift supports long-term sustainability while enabling stronger reporting, faster updates, and a broader reach across our Defence community. Our hope and intent are for readers to benefit from richer storytelling and easier access to information through a modern and effective digital platform.
We understand that change raises questions and we will endeavour to guide our community through this transition with clarity and ongoing communication. We ask for your patience and support as together we navigate toward a new future for the Lookout and its digital home of lookoutnewspaper.com So, yes, it is a time of fundamental change at this newspaper. But its mission, the commitment that has defined the Lookout for more than eight decades — to Defence-focused journalism, trusted standards, and telling the stories that matter to the people we serve – remains and endures.
Yours aye,
Captain(Navy) Kevin Whiteside, Commander of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt
