The Halifax Gazette, Canada’s First Newspaper – Nova Scotia, John Bushell, 1752

Bartholomew Green, a Massachusetts-based printer, relocated his press to Halifax in 1751, just two years after the city’s founding (1749). Green set up a printing office on Grafton Street, however, his tenure was brief, as he passed away only weeks after arriving in Halifax.

Green’s former partner, John Bushell (1715-1761), stepped in to continue the work. He moved to Halifax with his family, including his daughter Elizabeth, a skilled typesetter who assisted him in the shop. On March 23, 1752, they published The Halifax Gazette, marking the birth of Canada’s first newspaper. The inaugural edition consisted of a single sheet, printed on both sides in two columns, with two woodcuts gracing the front page: a ship in full sail on the left and a hunter chasing game on the right.

Initially, The Halifax Gazette served as the semi-official voice of the government, primarily featuring proclamations and laws. The Seven Years’ War (1756–63), however, spurred economic growth in Halifax as merchants opened new shops. The newspaper soon evolved into a more independent publication, incorporating news, advertisements, and even occasional satire directed at the government. While a handful of local ads appeared, Bushell often filled the paper with excerpts from newspapers in Britain, Europe, and New England.

In 1758, Bushell hired Anthony Henry as an assistant, and by 1760, he had made Henry his partner. Following Bushell’s death in 1761, Henry took over as publisher, ensuring the continued legacy of The Halifax Gazette.