It was founded as The Canadian Champion and County of Halton Intelligencer in 1861 by James A. Campbell,[1][a][b] and it was known for its outspoken political views.

In 1862, it declared: "Our continual aim will be to make our paper a true exponent of sound Reform principles, to cripple extravagance in all departmental affairs and sue for the initiation of a just and economical system of disbursing the public revenue and the proper disposing of the patronage of the State; we shall consequently work vigilantly for the purpose of overthrowing the present corrupt administration[c] whose every act has been at variance with these views.

[5] Panton would continue as sole publisher until he sold the Champion to John W. Blight and F. Leonard White in 1927.

[6] After Blight's death, the Champion was sold to G. Arlof Dills, publisher of The Acton Free Press, in November 1943.

"[8] The Champion would remain in the ownership of the Dills family until 1978, when it would be sold to Inland Publishing,[f] which would later merge with Metrospan Community Newspapers[g] in 1981[10] to form Metroland.