Hi everyone,

We’re excited to announce that registration is now open for NCRC44 and Radiodays North America, taking place in Toronto from May 4–9, 2026.

This year’s gathering will bring together campus, community, and Indigenous broadcasters from across Canada alongside international leaders in radio, podcasting, and audio media. The program combines our annual NCRA/ANREC conference with the international Radiodays North America event and a series of hands-on learning sessions focused on podcasting and audio production.

Throughout the week, participants will have opportunities to connect with broadcasters, producers, journalists, researchers, and industry leaders through collaborative sessions, professional development workshops, and sector celebrations.

Full conference information (schedule, tickets, venues, travel details):
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R1De-8zkOK3eVbedsrQ8xckJOViW1pw-Y-84MOENZIg/edit?usp=sharing

Register here:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/ncrc2026-rdna-podcast-and-producers-crabos-and-more

Please note that discounted tickets for NCRA/ANREC members are only available through this registration link, and not through the Radiodays or Departure conference websites.

Conference Overview

The week is structured into two main components:

Conference Program (May 4–6)
NCRC44 member sessions combined with Radiodays North America, featuring panels and presentations from leading voices in broadcasting, journalism, and audio media.

Production & Podcast Learning (May 7–9)
A set of events focused on podcasting, audio storytelling, and content production, including workshops, panels, and station tours.

The week will also include the CRABO Awards, celebrating excellence in campus, community, and Indigenous broadcasting across Canada and a Documentary Screening of the new Amy Goodman Film with Q&A plus social events.

Highlights of the Week

Radiodays North America speakers announced so far include:

• Alan Cross – host and music journalist
• Amy Goodman – broadcaster and investigative journalist
• Ben Mulroney – television, radio, and podcast host
• Craig Bruce – radio broadcaster and media strategist
• Tom Webster – Partner at Sounds Profitable
• Vicky Eatrides – Chairperson and CEO, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)

Participants will also have access to selected Departure Festival programming, which includes internationally recognized speakers from across media, music, and entertainment.

Program Schedule (Overview)

Monday, May 4 – NCRC44 Member Day
Hart House, University of Toronto (1:00–5:00 PM)

• Welcome and introductions
• Member caucus sessions (Governance, Finance, Operations)
• Birds of a Feather collaboration sessions
• Learning sessions, including Educational Pathways with NCRA Learning & Development Coordinator Conrad Fox
• Evening Radiodays North America Welcome Party

Tuesday, May 5 – Radiodays North America Conference

Key sessions include:

• Music, Radio & Regulation – An Open Discussion
• BBC Radio 6 Music: Why Curated Music Radio Can Still Win
• The Morning Shift – Building the Modern Radio Morning Show
• Trust Issues: Navigating a New Era of Populism
• Being a Host in 2026
• Worried About AI? Your Best Friend Is AI

Evening
Documentary screening featuring Amy Goodman (More info TBA – Tickets not yet available)

Wednesday, May 6 – Radiodays North America Conference

Sessions include:

• The Audio One-Two Punch: How Radio and Podcasting Work Together
• Behind the Aircheck
• Where the Money Moves: Advertising, Audio & the Future of Media Investment
• Making Waves in Audio Investments
• Youth Listening in 2026
• The Art of Telling a Story – Lessons from Radiolab

Evening:
CRABO Awards Gala at the CBC Broadcasting Centre, celebrating excellence in campus, community, and Indigenous broadcasting across Canada.

Thursday, May 7 – Podcast & Producer Events

The NCRA/ANREC will collaborate with Canadaland to host the Podcast & Producers Summit, a one-day, 8-session gathering focused on podcasting, audio storytelling, and the evolving landscape of independent media production in Canada.

Friday, May 8 – Community Radio Tour & Learning Day (FREE)

Participants will visit several Toronto community radio stations using TTC transit. The day concludes with additional learning sessions at Hart House.

Saturday, May 9 – Soundwave Podcast Festival

A second day of podcast-focused programming featuring producers, hosts, and independent creators exploring storytelling, distribution, and the future of audio in alignment with Soundwave Podcast Summit.

Again, see full details, ACCOMMODATIONS, Food and ticket info here. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to Toronto for a week of learning, collaboration, and celebration across Canada’s campus and community broadcasting sector.

Cheers,

Barry Rooke
Executive Director

NCRA/ANREC

The post NCRC44*RDNA May 4-6 + more – Schedule appeared first on NCRA/ANREC.

As part of our Strategic Learning and Development Plan (SLDP 2025–2030), the NCRA/ANREC is introducing a new member-driven training stream: Task-Oriented Development Groups.

These Working Groups are designed to bring stations together to collaboratively work on real operational challenges, co-develop shared sector resources, and support long-term capacity-building across Canada’s campus and community radio sector.

Working Groups will:

• Provide peer-to-peer learning and shared problem-solving
• Build common tools, templates, and practices that benefit the entire sector
• Support long-term projects that require more than a single workshop or webinar
• Allow stations to take leadership roles in shaping national standards and operational approaches
• Create sustainable communities of practice that meet regularly throughout the year
• Align with the SLDP’s goals of professionalization, member retention, and structured skill development
  

Groups will set their own schedules, processes, and outputs using a mini-TOR, Leadership Group/Moderators, with scheduled check-ins and a wrap-up session each year at the NCRC. 

Think of this as a mix between a mailing list and a committee with a focus on specific roles or areas of interest that you can collaborate across the sector with. With this model, members have the opportunity not just to learn—but to shape the future of community radio training, tools, and best practices.

Pilot Working Group: Fundraising (Grants)

We are pleased to announce the first Working Group in this new series—a no-cost pilot project for members in good standing in 2026.

This Working Group will focus on strengthening how the sector and stations prepare for, coordinate, and deliver grant applications at both the national and station levels. The intent is to create shared tools, clearer internal processes, and stronger alignment between staff, committees, equity review, and member input.

The group will focus on:

• Improving grant readiness across the sector, such as determining whether the NCRA/ANREC should submit, whether stations should be notified about grant opportunities, and creating a list of opportunities
• Assisting NCRA/ANREC and stations in applying for a grant, including idea generation, budget development and more
• Developing shared templates, language, past grants and budget frameworks that can be adapted locally when sector-wide grants are identified.
• Exploring and supporting fundraising ideas tied to events and more (non-grant)
• Identifying recurring vs. opportunistic funding opportunities and how to plan for them
• Strengthening tracking, documentation, and institutional/sectoral memory for grant applications and reporting
• Creating clearer internal processes that support collaboration between the Fundraising & Finance Committee, staff, and Equity review

The group will not focus on advertising, partnerships or general finances.

This Working Group is intended to address current limitations in our response to funding opportunities and to move toward a more proactive, coordinated, and strategic grant-development model.

This pilot will also help shape the future of all Working Groups—testing scheduling, structure, mini-TORs, collaborative tools, and reporting models.

Pilot Details

• Cost: Free in 2026 for members in good standing
• Schedule: ~6 meetings per year, beginning in February
• Format: Collective member-led, staff-supported collaborative working sessions, email group discussions
• Wrap-Up: Final collaborative report/presentation at NCRC 2027
• Who Should Join: Station managers, board members, fundraisers, staff involved in grant writing or reporting, Equity Committee members, and anyone interested in strengthening funding capacity at the station or sector level

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/JxrRmrQnY3Ufg4997

Recommend Additional Working Groups

We will be launching additional groups based on interest and capacity, guided by the Membership Priority Survey (MPS).

Members are invited to suggest future Working Groups, including (but not limited to):

• Station Resource Sharing (Voice Overs, Equipment, Policy)
• Music Management (Receiving, Reviewing & Storing Music)
• National & Local Advertising Practices
• Audience and Programming Measurement
• Strategic Planning & Succession Planning
• Programming Schedule Review
• Community Partnerships & Engagement

If you’d like to propose another Working Group—just let us know.

Cheers,

Eloisa Veliz

The post Launch of SLDP Working Groups & Call for Pilot Participants appeared first on NCRA/ANREC.

The National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA/ANREC) and Farm Radio International (FRI), among others, to celebrate World Radio Day event in Ottawa.  

OTTAWA, ON.- January 10th, 2026 – On February 12th, join us once again to celebrate World Radio Day together, as we host our third World Radio Day event.

This year’s UNESCO theme is Radio and AI, “Today Artificial Intelligence (AI) opens a new chapter: not just for innovation but for deepening their bond with listeners. When used ethically and responsibly to support professional judgement, creativity and public service values, AI can become an ally in strengthening audience trust. Technology alone does not build trust. Radio broadcasters do.” 

We can all agree that radio continues to play an essential part in everyday life. We rely on it to learn what is happening in our communities, when disaster strikes, to educate us on important topics, to showcase music or to connect to the community around us. 

On actual World Radio day, February 13th, the NCRA/ANREC will be sharing a National Shout-Out Campaign, where stations all over the world will be able to share pre-recorded audio messages from other countries to celebrate World Radio Day together. We are not only celebrating the diversity and vitality of community and campus radio in Canada but also around the world. The campaign reinforces radio’s essential role in community connection, emergency response, education, and storytelling. 

Whether it’s your favourite local radio station, campus radio, public broadcast, or a special program that will be streamed live that day, we want as many people as possible to tune in to show support for radio and its daily impact.

“Artificial intelligence is reshaping how Canadians access information, and community radio plays a vital role in ensuring that transformation remains ethical, local, and human-centred. This World Radio Day, we reaffirm that AI should strengthen—not replace—the trusted voices that serve our communities every day.” says Barry Rooke, Executive Director for the NCRA/ANREC

“In sub-Saharan Africa, radio is the world’s most accessible and popular communication service. When combined with mobile phones, which allow farmers to share their own stories on the airwaves, it brings lasting change for some of the world’s most vulnerable people—small-scale farmers in rural Africa,” says Kevin Perkins, Executive Director of Farm Radio International. “By sharing knowledge, amplifying farmers’ voices, and supporting better practices, audio has the power to reduce food insecurity, improve health and nutrition, and plant the seeds for long-term positive change.”

In 2023, Farm Radio International directly reached an estimated 24.1 million people with life-changing audio services over the airwaves, enabling about 5 million to make a positive change.

The in-person event will be taking place in Ottawa, ON. February 12th, 2026 on Sir John A. Macdonald Building, Room 200 (144 Wellington St, Ottawa) from 8:30 to 10am. 

About Campus and Community Radio Associations Across Canada

• The Association des radiodiffuseurs communautaires du Québec (ARCQ)
• The Alliance des radios communautaires du Canada (ARCC)
• The National Campus and Community Radio Association/Association nationale des radios étudiantes et communautaires (NCRA/ANREC)
• The Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC
  

The ARCQ, ARCC, and NCRA/ANREC collectively represent 84 percent of Canada’s approximately 200 licensed campus and community radio broadcasters. The CRFC/FCRC distributes support on behalf of commercial broadcasters, the federal government, and private foundations to more than 235 eligible community, Indigenous, and campus stations.

About FRI

Farm Radio International is an award-winning Canadian communications-for-development organization that harnesses the power of radio and partnerships to serve African farming families and communities. By working with existing radio stations across Africa, we reach tens of millions of small-scale farmers with life-changing information and provide opportunities for their voices to be heard. Visit www.farmradio.org to learn how radio is seeding change. 

For More Information:
Blair Amyotte, Digital Marketing Specialist of Farm Radio International

[email protected] 

Barry Rooke, Executive Director of the NCRA/ANREC

1.866.859.8086 / (613) 321.1440*2

[email protected]

The post The National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA/ANREC) and Farm Radio International (FRI), among others, to celebrate World Radio Day event in Ottawa.   appeared first on NCRA/ANREC.

We’re pleased to share that NCRA/ANREC is hiring for two new staff roles that will support learning, capacity-building, and journalism across the campus, community, and Indigenous radio sector.

These positions are part of our ongoing work to strengthen training, professional development, and editorial support for members, and to advance priorities identified through member feedback and sector planning.

Currently Open Positions

1. National Support Editor (2 positions)
These roles provide editorial guidance, mentorship, and professional support to journalists and media organizations participating in the Local Journalism Initiative (LJI). The positions are advisory and capacity-building in nature and respect the editorial independence of participating stations and outlets.

2. Learning and Development Coordinator
This role supports the early implementation of NCRA/ANREC’s Strategic Learning and Development Plan (SLDP) by helping coordinate learning systems, organize resources, support pilot initiatives, and integrate education into national events and programs.

Key Details

-Positions are remote, based anywhere in Canada
-Contracts begin February 1, 2026
-Application deadline: January 11, 2026

We encourage members to:
-share these opportunities within your networks
-encourage qualified colleagues, volunteers, or former staff to apply
-consider how these roles can support your station and the broader sector

Full job descriptions and application details are attached, as well as on our job board:
https://ncra.ca/job-board/

Note that IndigiNews is hiring for two new positions – an Operations Manager and Audience Engagement Editor – https://indiginews.com/uncategorized/indiginews-is-hiring-for-two-new-positions/

If you have questions about the roles or how they fit into NCRA/ANREC’s broader work, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Cheers,

Barry
Executive Director
NCRA/ANREC

The post NCRA/ANREC is Hiring – January 11th Deadline appeared first on NCRA/ANREC.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2025

NCRA/ANREC Statement on Federal Budget 2025: Building Canada Strong

The National Campus and Community Radio Association / Association nationale des radios étudiantes et communautaires (NCRA/ANREC) welcomes several of the commitments announced in the Government of Canada’s Budget 2025: Building Canada Strong, particularly those supporting journalism, emergency alerting, and youth employment. However, we remain concerned that there were no direct investments in community, campus, and Indigenous radio, which continues to be one of Canada’s most vital yet underfunded communication sectors.

Positive Developments

• Support for Journalism: The Budget includes $38.4 million over three years (starting in 2026–27) through Special Measures for Journalism under the Canada Periodical Fund, aimed to “help small and community news outlets continue producing quality Canadian editorial and journalistic content.” This funding provides operational support to small outlets (not community radio) but does not extend to the Local Journalism Initiative (LJI), which is set to expire in 2026.
• Emergency Alerting: The commitment of $55 million over four years and $13 million ongoing to the National Public Alerting System (NPAS) reinforces the essential role of broadcasters in delivering emergency communications to Canadians. Community stations, many of which are embedded in remote and underserved regions, continue to play a key role in local alerting and public safety.
• Public Advertising and Communications: The expansion of the Central Advertising Fund (CAF) by $345 million over five years recognizes the need for “accessible, effective communication with all Canadians.” The NCRA/ANREC views this as a significant opportunity to improve access for community-based broadcasters to federal advertising, ensuring more equitable distribution across media types and informing citizens whose only local access to news and information is through community radio.
• Cultural and Music Sector: Renewed support for the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage, and a three-year extension of the Canada Music Fund is vital as these programs sustain the creative and performance ecosystem that community radio helps amplify.
• Youth Employment: The Government has opened applications for Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ), part of a broader investment creating 175,000 youth placements across the Canada Summer Jobs, Student Work Placement Program, and Youth Climate Corps streams. This will provide continued opportunities for young people to gain media, production, and digital experience within our sector.

Areas of Concern

Despite these positive steps, Budget 2025 does not provide direct funding or targeted support for community, campus, and Indigenous radio stations. Our sector continues to face financial strain, particularly in light of rising operating costs, declining local advertising revenues, and the absence of stable federal core funding.  This can be achieved through the Community Radio Initiative (mycri.ca)

Budget 2025 introduces significant reductions to temporary and international student admissions, cutting study permits from approximately 305,900 to 155,000 annually by 2026. The government cited the “unprecedented rate of growth” in temporary residents as a strain on housing, healthcare, and education systems. This will have a direct impact on campus-based broadcasters, as many rely on international students as volunteers, staff, and contributors. 

Community broadcasters remain key players in local journalism, emergency alerting, cultural promotion, and youth training—yet continue to operate with limited resources. Without structural investment, many stations risk being unable to sustain the vital services they provide to Canadians daily.

“We welcome the government’s continued recognition of journalism, cultural investment, and youth employment in this year’s budget. However, not-for-profit radio must be part of the national conversation about sustaining local media. Our stations connect Canadians in ways no other medium can — and without direct, stable support, we risk losing an essential voice in Canada’s democratic and cultural landscape.”  -Barry Rooke (NCRA/ANREC Executive Director)

The NCRA/ANREC will continue to work with partners and federal departments to ensure that community media are recognized and resourced as an essential part of Canada’s democratic and cultural infrastructure. 

For more information, please contact:
Barry Rooke, CAE
Executive Director
National Campus and Community Radio Association / Association nationale des radios étudiantes et communautaires
 [email protected] |  www.ncra.ca

The post NCRA/ANREC Statement on Federal Budget 2025: Building Canada Strong appeared first on NCRA/ANREC.

Dear members, 

The NCRA/ANREC is conducting a by-election to fill two board seats that have become vacant. Member stations are encouraged to nominate a programmer, volunteer, board member or staff member. This seat is for a two-year board term, expiring at the 2027 AGM (Approximately 18 months). 

In order to fulfill our bylaw requirements for representation, as laid out in our Leadership Representation Policy and our Elections bylaws, this by-election has two requirements:

• This by-election can fill 2 positions on the Board;
• We do not currently have representatives from the North (Northwest and Yukon Territories, and Nunavut) or Prairies (Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan) regions. Applicants from these regions are encouraged to apply, but all regions may apply.     

We ask that all stations in good standing share this call for nominations with your station, staff, board and volunteers and consider the need for diverse representation for the sector. 

Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions about board duties or the election procedure, or if you have questions about the nomination form.

Voting procedures will be sent out to members after the candidates are announced.

Participation in the by-election as a candidate:

To participate as a candidate in this by-election, you must complete the online nomination form by 4pm ET, Friday November 14 (you will need a “Endorsement*).  On November 17th, nominee details will be distributed by email to all NCRA/ANREC member stations, along with voting details. Members will have until November 21st to submit their vote and the elected representatives will be announced on November 26th.

*Note – Each candidate needs to be nominated by their station and must also be endorsed by the authorized Station Representative at their station as outlined in our Membership Agreement / Code of Conduct. 

Please enter the contact information for each endorsement, and the Nominations Committee will reach out to them for verification.

*Only one person can be elected per station with the only exception being for the Indigenous Representative Director.

The current board is:

Arbie Fru, CHLY, Pacific, male (Vice President) (Term ends 2027)

Megan McCracken, CKDU, Atlantic, female (Secretary) (Term ends 2026)

Weadee Mombo, CJAM, Ontario, female (Equity Officer) (Term ends 2027)

Mark Kilfoil, CHSR, Atlantic, male (President) (Term ends 2027)

Adriel Smiley, CJTM, Ontario, male (HR Officer) (Term ends 2026)

Brandon Logan, CFMH, Atlantic, non-binary (Term ends 2026)

Rhea Rollman, CHRM, Atlantic, female (Term ends 2026)

Cory Whiteduck, CKWE, Quebec, male (Indigenous Representative) (Term ends 2027)

Diverse representation

NCRA/ANREC members serve an audience recognized as diverse in ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, age, and physical and mental ability, and the NCRA/ANREC board of directors must reflect this diversity.  The NCRA/ANREC has implemented a Leadership Representation Policy – approved in 2022 to build on this work.

The NCRA/ANREC strongly encourages applications from women, non-binary individuals, BIPOC, and people with disabilities. We also recognize the underrepresentation of community stations at a board level. The current board disproportionally represents the campus sector. 

The NCRA/ANREC recognizes its historic issues with discrimination and tokenism and is actively looking to improve itself as an organization and as a reflection of the diverse nature of c/c radio. Following our ‘They Don’t Come To Us’ report about systemic racism in our sector, we’ve committed to addressing this and are actively working on solutions. Diversity at a governance level is vital to the development of a healthier and more representative association. 

No station can have more than one representative on the NCRA/ANREC Board, with the exception of the Indigenous seat. Therefore, any NCRA member station not represented already is encouraged to put forward a candidate in this by-election.

Best Regards,

NCRA/ANREC Nominations Committee

The post NCRA/ANREC By-election Announcement – November 14th Deadline appeared first on NCRA/ANREC.

Hello Members,

The NCRA/ANREC has joined a broad coalition of student associations and community partners in support of two key campaigns opposing Bill 33 — a piece of legislation that threatens to dismantle student services and weaken the collective voice of students across Ontario.

We are proud to endorse and support both:

• The “Hands Off Our Education!” campaign, organized by OUSA, CSA, OSV, and CASA. View the public release from OUSA here: Press Release. Join the Hands Off Our Education campaign
• The Coalition to Protect Student Services’ open letter to the provincial government. You can read the open letter here: Coalition to Protect Student Services – Open Letter (PDF)

We also encourage stations and members to follow and share posts from the campaign to help amplify student voices. The Hands Off Our Education! campaign is organizing a Week of Action from October 20–24, 2025, and you can learn more or get involved here:  handsoffoureducation.ca/form

More information regarding the Week of Action will be shared soon. In the meantime, feel free to contact the Federation for any support needed to coordinate and organize any actions. We know that we cannot win this fight alone, and we look forward to collaborating and building power with you. Please find attached a resource drive that will be updated consistently with materials you can use to help promote the campaign to your members. Some of those materials will include:

1. Leaflets for outreach, class talks, and flyering squads.
2. Posters to print and distribute on your campus, at your events, and in your office.
3. Endorser graphics for social media or newsletters to post and disseminate on your platforms including a “we endorse” graphic. 

Together, we can help protect the spaces, and student voices that community and campus radio stations rely on every day.

Cheers,

-Eloisa Veliz, Marketing and Outreach Coordinator

The post NCRA/ANREC Joins Students and Partners in Opposing Bill 33 appeared first on NCRA/ANREC.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28 2025

New National Survey Confirms Community and Campus Radio’s Growing Impact Across Canada

OTTAWA, ON — A new national survey conducted by Abacus Data for the National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA/ANREC) confirms what many communities across Canada already know: campus and community radio is a vital, growing source of trusted, local, and inclusive media.

The survey, conducted from June 26 to July 2, 2025, found that nearly one-third of Canadians (32%) regularly or occasionally listen to campus or community radio—a significant increase over previous years. Since 2017, regular listenership has doubled, and occasional listenership has climbed steadily. Among Canadians aged 18 to 29, 48% tune in regularly or occasionally, demonstrating the sector’s unique reach with younger audiences. This finding is supported by other internal statistics, including those from StatsRadio and iHeartRadio. The fact that the NCRA/ANREC receives many requests for assistance each year from organizations interested in starting not-for-profit radio stations also speaks to the ongoing importance of local radio in Canadian communities.

“These numbers show that our sector is more relevant than ever,” says Barry Rooke, Executive Director of NCRA/ANREC. “We reach listeners that mainstream media often doesn’t—including newcomers, Indigenous communities, youth, and people who prefer to hear local voices and languages.”

Serving Communities in Their Own Voices

Campus and community radio stations are often the only broadcasters providing programming in languages other than English or French. According to internal NCRA/ANREC member data:

• 40% play at least one hour of programming each week in a language other than French or English, and 
• 15% play at least eight hours of such programming
• 46% play at least one hour of Indigenous programming each week
• Members play programming in 55 languages, including 20 Indigenous languages. You’ll note this is down from 65 in 2019.
• 30% play at least one hour of programming each week in French

These services are critical in both urban centres and rural regions where commercial media have consolidated or disappeared. Listeners from immigrant communities, visible minorities, and community activists were shown to be among the most engaged, with significantly higher-than-average listenership.

Trusted, Grassroots Media at a Time of Crisis

As trust in large media outlets fluctuates and misinformation spreads online, community and campus radio provide a local, accountable, and nonprofit alternative. Stations are governed by volunteers, rooted in their communities, and offer a platform for public dialogue, emerging artists, and underrepresented voices.

NCRA/ANREC is calling on parliamentarians and government officials to recognize the sector’s unique contribution to Canadian media and invest in its sustainability. In particular, the Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC) and the proposed Community Radio Initiative (CRI) would help ensure these stations can continue serving the public interest.

“We aren’t just playing music. We’re building community resilience, fostering local journalism, and helping keep democracy accessible,” says Rooke. “Every dollar invested in this sector is a dollar invested in media that reflects Canada’s full diversity.”

About NCRA/ANREC

The National Campus and Community Radio Association represents over 120 campus, community, and Indigenous radio stations across Canada. The sector supports more than 500 employees and 7,000 volunteers, who reach millions of Canadians every year with trusted, locally produced programming.

—Media Contact:
Barry Rooke
Executive Director, NCRA/ANREC
[email protected] | (613) 321-1440
www.ncra.ca

https://ncra.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Press-Release-NCRAANREC-National-Survey-and-Listening-Numbers-July-2025.pdf

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2025

Community Radio Shines with Coast-to-Coast Coverage on Election Night

OTTAWA, ON — The National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA/ANREC) is proud to announce the success of the #AltElxn 2025 national election night broadcast, which delivered six hours of live, alternative coverage from coast to coast on April 28, 2025. This unprecedented project brought together over 25 campus & community, stations and dozens of journalists and volunteers to amplify community voices during Canada’s federal election.

Supported by the Covering Canada: Election 2025 Fund, in partnership with the Public Policy Forum, Rideau Hall Foundation, and the Michener Awards Foundation, the initiative not only provided critical funding but empowered community-based media to offer diverse, inclusive, and locally grounded election journalism.

“From local debates to national panels, this program brought forward stories and analysis you simply couldn’t find anywhere else,” said Barry Rooke, Executive Director of the NCRA/ANREC and Executive Producer of the program. “It’s an example of how non-profit media can fill gaps in democratic coverage, particularly for underrepresented communities and issues.”

Throughout the evening, hosts, analysts, and local contributors explored topics ranging from voter access and Indigenous engagement to press freedom, electoral reform, and shifting regional dynamics. Over 30 contributors supported the production through journalism, hosting, technical coordination, and social media. A copy of the election night coverage, plus all content produced, is at altelxn.ca

The coverage featured real-time updates, expert interviews, and community voices that captured the pulse of the nation’s democratic process. The program was also a training ground for emerging journalists, providing hands-on experience in civic media production.

The NCRA/ANREC extends its deepest thanks to all participating stations, producers, reporters, and community partners, especially the funding partners at The Public Policy Forum, Rideau Hall Foundation, and the Michener Awards Foundation. Plans are already underway to continue this model for future elections across Canada.

Appendix A: Station Participation (East to West)

29 Participating Stations

NL: CHMR (St. John’s), CKVB (Corner Brook)
NS: CJQC (Liverpool)
NB: CHMR (Fredericton), CJPN (Fredericton), CKMA (Miramichi), CHMA (Sackville)
QC: CKUT (Montreal), CJLO (Montreal), CJAS (Saint-Augustin)
ON: CJMT (Toronto), Luvbay Radio (Toronto), CFRC (Kingston), CJLX (Belleville), CJPE (Prince Edward County), CFWN (Cobourg), CHUO (Ottawa), CKMS (Waterloo), CJAM (Windsor), CJBU (St. Catharines)
MB: CHEB (Winnipeg)
AB: CKXU (Lethbridge)
BC: CJLY (Nelson), CICK (Smithers), CFIS (Prince George), CHLY (Nanaimo), CFUZ (Penticton), CJSF (Burnaby), Radio Sidney (Sidney)

Appendix B: Election Night Team & Contributors

Executive Producers
Barry Rooke &  Catherine Fisher

Producers
Baylie Adams & Kinza Zafar

East Canada Hosts
Mia Johnson

West Canada Hosts
Bill Collins
Peter Wainwright

Technical Coordinator
Anthony Sanna

Social Media Coordinator
Ken Zakreski

🎙️ Election Night On-Air Contributors

• Owen Thompson
• Amber Ranson
• Natalie Vilkoff
• Arbie Fru
• Jesse Wentzloff
• Ken Zakreski
• Daniel Nesvaderani
• Quenton Bradshaw
• Alan Gates
• Barry Rooke
• Stephenie Hendricks
• Kim Bater

🧠 Working Committee

• Barry Rooke
• Arbie Fru
• Taya Rtichsheva
• Bob Jonkman
• Mickey Akarasewi
• Rob Hailman
• Catherine Fisher
• Scotty Hertz

Appendix C: Pre-Election Coverage Contributors

The following stations provided pre-election stories, interviews, or features that were used during the election night broadcast, or contributed stories to the program:

These contributions included local riding interviews, community-focused news segments, regional candidate profiles, and features on voting access, youth engagement, and policy issues from underrepresented voices.

For media inquiries, interviews, or rebroadcasting permissions, please contact:
Barry Rooke
Executive Director, NCRA/ANREC
📧 [email protected] | 🌐 www.ncra.ca

About the NCRA/ANREC
The National Campus and Community Radio Association / l’Association nationale des radios étudiantes et communautaires (NCRA/ANREC) is a non-profit national organization working to support, represent, and advocate for campus, community, and Indigenous radio stations across Canada.

Founded in 1986, the NCRA/ANREC provides training, regulatory support, sector coordination, and public advocacy to a network of non-profit radio broadcasters who deliver diverse, locally relevant programming to their communities. The association is committed to amplifying marginalized voices, fostering media literacy, supporting volunteer-driven media, and promoting accessible, community-rooted journalism.

With over 120 member stations, the NCRA/ANREC champions the role of community media in strengthening democratic participation, cultural expression, and public dialogue, particularly in underserved and remote areas. Learn more at www.ncra.ca.

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Dear Members,

We’re thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the 43rd National Campus and Community Radio Conference (NCRC 2025), taking place June 17–20, 2025, in beautiful Nanaimo, British Columbia at Victoria Island University (VIU)!

Hosted in partnership with CHLY 101.7FM, this year’s NCRC will unite campus,  community and Indigenous radio stations nationwide for four days of connection, learning, celebration, and collaboration.

 Register now at: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/ncrc43-nanaimo-bc-june-17-20th–2025

 Key Highlights

• Workshops & Panels on programming, news, technology, fundraising, governance, and more
• CRABO Awards Gala honouring excellence in community broadcasting
• Networking Events & Socials, including our welcome party, salmon dinner, and music nights
• Keynote Speaker: We are honoured to welcome Jon Bisset, CEO of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA), to share international insights on community media’s future
  

A full schedule will be released in late April, with learenign events happening at Victoria Island University in Nanaimo. 

 Registration Options

• Early Bird (until April 30, 2025): $275
• Regular: $300
• Last Chance: $350
• 1-Day Pass: $125
• Online Ticket: $100 [zoom, not all sessions available – Details released end of April]
  

Your registration includes access to all in-person sessions, meals, and events.  If you have NCRA/ANREC advertising Credits, you can use them for registration – talk to [email protected]

 Travel Support Available – Apply by April 23

Thanks to the generous support of the Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC), limited travel assistance is available for members to attend NCRC 2025.

This funding is designed to reduce financial barriers for stations that would not otherwise be able to send representatives. Depending on need and distance, support may cover a portion of travel and accommodation costs. Note that those offered funding may be asked to help volunteer with a few roles to keep our event running smoothly. 

Deadline to apply: Tuesday, April 23, 2025
Decisions communicated by: Thursday, May 1, 2025 [Early Bird will be available for those offered funding]

 The application form is here.

If you have questions in the meantime, feel free to reach out to [email protected].

 Travel & Accommodation

We’ve secured options at both a hotel and campus residences:

Vancouver Island University Residences (On-Site)

• Approx. $65/night for shared accommodations (bunk beds)
• Approx. $88/night for private accommodations
• Larger mixed rooms available
• Includes kitchen access and walking distance to all events
• June 1st Deadline to reserve
  

Hotel Option – Coast Bastion Hotel (Downtown Nanaimo)

• Approx. $199/night, double occupancy
• Limited room block available – early booking recommended 
• May 16 Deadline to reserve

*The NCRA/ANREC will receive a bonus from Nanaimo Tourism if we have 400 rooms booked across all hotels and residences for the event.  If you do not stay at VIU Residence or our preferred partner, the Coast, you let us know where you plan to stay when you register, for our reporting. 

Travel Details & Events Preview
Plan to arrive for the conference by Wednesday, June 18th, at 9 am or earlier if you want to participate in the pre or post-conference events. Here’s what the week looks like:

• June 16 – !earshot musician training & CFUV event in Victoria
• June 17 – Welcome Party in Nanaimo (7 pm Start)
• June 18–19 – Full Conference Days & Evening events
• June 20 – Half-Day conference, Explore Nanaimo, and CRABO Awards Gala Dinner
• June 21 – !earshot musician training in Nanaimo
  

We highly suggest you read the infor on flights, ferries, and local transit is available at ncrc.ncra.ca – 

SHUTTLE: This includes interest in joining a shuttle/ride-share from Victoria to Nanaimo and back. Sign up ASAP.

Note that there are some flight deals on right now: Harbour Air – Vancouver to Nanaimo, WestJet, 

 Explore the New Website

We’ve just launched a new and evolving conference website at https://ncrc.ncra.ca. This site will be updated regularly with schedules, speaker bios, travel tips, FAQs, and more. Please explore and let us know if anything looks unclear or could be improved — your feedback will help us make it better before the public promotion begins.  We are not using an app this year.

Sponsorship

Please share with potential partners for our conference!

Pre-Conference

We are also hosting pre-caucus sessions in April and May! Join us by registering on the lists below, and if you have any questions about the caucus sessions, email [email protected]

• Promotions Caucus on April 23rd, 2025 2:00 PM EST
• Music Directors on May 7, 2025 1:00 EST
• Station Managers Caucus on May 21, 2025 1:00 PM PM EST

If you have any questions or need help registering, contact us anytime at [email protected].

We can’t wait to welcome you to Nanaimo in June! 

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