Welcome to #AltElxn 2025 — a special series showcasing independent, regional election reporting from across Canada.
This project, produced by campus, community, and Indigenous radio stations, highlights local voices, diverse perspectives, and critical election issues in the lead-up to the 2025 Canadian federal election.
Funded by the Covering Canada Election 2025 Fund through the Public Policy Forum, Rideau Hall Foundation, and Michener Awards Foundation.

Explore all four national episodes below:

🎙️ Episode 1:

Vancouver Island Focus — Green Battlegrounds and Indigenous Leadership
🎥 Watch on YouTube

Produced by: Bill Collins and Peter Wainwright (Radio Sidney)
Theme: Regional perspectives from British Columbia’s Saanich-Gulf Islands riding

Summary:
The first episode examines Canada’s “greenest” federal riding and its evolving political dynamics.
Bill and Peter break down the political history of Vancouver Island, analyze voter trends, and provide local insights with on-the-street interviews.
The episode also features exclusive candidate interviews and an in-depth discussion with Adam Olsen about Indigenous-led economic development.

Key segments:

  • British Columbia’s unique federal/provincial electoral history
  • Voter street interviews on key election issues: economy, climate, foreign policy
  • Candidate highlights: Elizabeth May (Green Party), Kathy Onsted (Conservative), Colin Plant (NDP)
  • Indigenous economic development leadership with Adam Olsen (Tsartlip First Nation)

Total Duration: 28 minutes

🎙️ Episode 2:

Who Do You Trust? Bias, Perception & the Media
🎥 Watch on YouTube

Produced and Hosted by: Barry Rooke (NCRA/ANREC)
Theme: Media bias, trust, regulation, and election reporting integrity

Summary:
This thought-provoking episode dives into how bias — both explicit and implicit — influences election coverage and public trust.
Barry explores the regulatory landscape (C-11, CRTC role), reflects on personal biases, and features a wide range of voices from media professionals to Indigenous advocates.

Key segments:

  • Personal reflection on bias and community media values
  • Interviews with:
    • Bram Abramson (CRTC) on regulation principles
    • Andrew Mrozowski (CUP) on journalism ethics
    • Connie Thiessen (Broadcast Dialogue) on ownership and editorial pressures
    • Aya Alshahwany (PIAC) on perception of bias and media ownership
    • Kristin Kozar & Harry Lock (Public Media Alliance) on public trust challenges
    • Eden FineDay (IndigiNews) sharing an Indigenous perspective on mistrust of colonial systems
  • Final commentary encouraging critical media consumption

Total Duration: 28 minutes

🎙️ Episode 3:

Toronto Centre: Voter Voices, Fringe Candidates, and Federal Fallout
🎥 Watch on YouTube

Produced by: Mia Johnson, Gabriela Ponte, Kinza Zafar, Amber Ranson (MetRadio CJTM 1280 AM)
Theme: Local voter issues, underrepresented candidates, Indigenous rights, and Palestine

Summary:
Centered on Toronto Centre — one of the most diverse and densely populated ridings in Canada — this episode gives voice to voters and marginalized candidates.
It also analyzes the fallout from the controversial debate cancellations and explores key issues like housing, Indigenous sovereignty, and Palestine.

Key segments:

  • Overview of Toronto Centre’s political history and current dynamics
  • Coverage of the Debates Commission controversy and media scrum access
  • Interviews with fringe candidates:
    • Simon Luisi (Animal Protection Party of Canada)
    • Nathan Mosery (People’s Party of Canada)
    • Philip Fernandez (Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada)
  • Analysis of federal party platforms on Indigenous sovereignty
  • Voter commentary and candidate stances on Gaza and Palestine
  • Reflections on youth engagement, housing, and cost of living

Total Duration: 28 minutes

🎙️ Episode 4:

Election Day: Voices Across Canada
🎥 Watch on YouTube

Produced by: Kinza Zafar, Mia Johnson (East Coast); Bill Collins, Peter Wainwright (West Coast)
Contributors: Claire Thompson (CFUZ), Bob Jonkman (CKMS), Aidan Keenan (CHSR), Arby (CHLY)
Theme: Election day reflections from voters, candidates, and community broadcasters

Summary:
A special coast-to-coast broadcast capturing the spirit of Election Day 2025 across Canada.
The episode collects interviews with first-time voters, Indigenous voices, homeless shelter organizers, and community broadcasters to highlight how democracy looks on the ground — outside of mainstream narratives.

Key segments:

  • East Coast updates from Toronto Metropolitan University
  • West Coast insights from Vancouver Island and Nanaimo
  • Interviews:
    • First-time Canadian voter (CFUZ)
    • Arlene Dodge (Native Canadian Centre of Toronto) on Indigenous issues
    • Homeless shelter workers encouraging voter turnout (Fredericton)
  • Commentary on voter suppression concerns, Indigenous sovereignty, and regional divides
  • Final reflections on youth engagement and community media’s role in democracy

Total Duration: 28 minutes

Bonus Episodes!

EpisodeStationCommunityProvinceRidingsTimeYouTube
Bonus #1CFUZPentictonBCSimilkameen–South Okanagan–West Kootenay27:59:00https://youtu.be/qKDO_2ZYjrY
Bonus #2CHMRSaint John’sNLSt John’s ridings58:01:00https://youtu.be/LB8cTJrrNgw
Bonus #3CICKSmithersBCSkeena–Bulkley Valley31:16:00https://youtu.be/ghdgy98eFZI
Bonus #4CJLOMontrealQCMontreal ridings59:25:00https://youtu.be/EdQkr1EdoJM
Bonus #5 (FRENCH)CJPNFrederictonNBFredericton ridings28:43:00https://youtu.be/2qec2VeFSHQ
Bonus #6CJASSaint AugustineQCCôte-Nord–Kawawachikamach–Nitassinan46:50:00https://youtu.be/NDbEQXxvEt0
Bonus #7CJQCLiverpoolNSSouth Shore–St. Margarets28:23:00https://youtu.be/iRnlhR8amfs
Bonus #8CKUTMontrealQCMontreal ridings30:16:00https://youtu.be/2VfPZQSkw3Q
Bonus #9CHSRFrederictonNBFredericton ridings27:28:00https://youtu.be/pCXP_7qCZGo
Bonus #10 (FRENCH)CKMAMiramichiNBMiramichi—Grand Lake28:20:00https://youtu.be/8AOdfRErb-g
Bonus #11CFRCKingstonONKingston and the Islands17:28:00https://youtu.be/yd2cwevU54M
Bonus #12CHUOOttawaONOttawa ridings24:47:00https://youtu.be/ghdgy98eFZI
Bonus #13CHEBWinnipegMBWinnipeg ridings (includes Ukrainian language content)28:00:00https://youtu.be/h7B9z6qf85A

🎤 Bonus Episode 1:

CFUZ – Penticton, BC
Length: 30 minutes
Host/Producer: Claire Thompson
Watch: YouTube Link

Theme: Community Engagement and Youth Participation in Penticton

Summary:
Broadcast from CFUZ 92.9 FM, this episode centers the voices of young voters in the Okanagan Valley as they head to the polls, many for the first time. Host Claire Thompson interviews local youth about their motivations for voting and their impressions of the political system. The episode includes a roundtable with community members discussing local concerns like housing affordability and civic literacy. It concludes with reflections on Indigenous rights, climate justice, and the importance of maintaining political engagement beyond election season.

Key Segments:

  • 01:00 – 06:00: First-time voters on excitement, barriers, and visibility
  • 06:00 – 15:00: Community panel on housing and civic engagement
  • 15:00 – 28:00: Youth reflections on democracy, Indigenous rights, and environment

🎤 Bonus Episode 2:

CHMR – St. John’s, NL
Length: 30 minutes
Produced by: The CHMR News Team
Watch: YouTube Link

Theme: Newfoundland Perspectives on Political Accountability

Summary:
Broadcast from CHMR 93.5 FM, this episode explores the relationship between Newfoundland’s unique regional issues and national politics. Through community interviews, the show uncovers economic tensions around fisheries, infrastructure, and federal-provincial responsibilities. Housing access and the state of rural health care are major talking points. Youth organizers also weigh in, sharing critiques of the federal government’s climate action and calling for stronger commitments to Indigenous sovereignty and reconciliation.

Key Segments:

  • 01:30 – 07:30: Community interviews on regional economic anxiety and fisheries
  • 07:30 – 15:00: Housing and health access challenges in rural Newfoundland
  • 15:00 – 24:00: Youth activists on climate action and Indigenous justice
  • 24:00 – 28:00: Closing calls for voter turnout and political reflection

🎤 Bonus Episode 3:

CICK – Smithers, BC
Length: 30 minutes
Produced by: CICK News Team
Watch: YouTube Link

Theme: Election Reflections from Northern BC

Summary:
Broadcast from CICK 93.9 FM in Smithers, this episode shines a light on rural priorities in northern British Columbia. Through conversations with Indigenous leaders, educators, and residents, the program investigates the political significance of natural resources, economic dependency, and reconciliation. The show explores how schools and youth initiatives are building civic literacy and emphasizes the importance of staying engaged long after the polls close.

Key Segments:

  • 01:00 – 06:00: Community concerns about forestry, mining, and employment
  • 06:00 – 13:00: Indigenous sovereignty and reflections on self-determination
  • 13:00 – 20:00: Youth education and the role of schools in democratic learning
  • 20:00 – 28:00: Final reflections on civic responsibility and rural voice

🎤 Bonus Episode 4:

CJLO – Montreal, QC
Length: 30 minutes
Produced by: CJLO News Collective
Watch: YouTube Link

Theme: Climate Action and Campus Voter Mobilization

Summary:
Live from CJLO 1690 AM, this episode centers on student and youth-led climate organizing in Montreal. Activists from across universities share their approaches to mobilizing students, including registration drives, poll location awareness campaigns, and public actions. The show evaluates the environmental platforms of major federal parties and challenges their adequacy in meeting the urgency of the climate crisis. It wraps with a strong message encouraging youth to remain politically active beyond voting.

Key Segments:

  • 01:00 – 08:00: Interviews with climate activists about grassroots strategy
  • 08:00 – 15:00: How campus groups organized voter engagement
  • 15:00 – 22:00: Comparative discussion of federal climate platforms
  • 22:00 – 28:00: Final thoughts and calls for sustained student organizing

🎤 Bonus Episode 5 (French):

CJPN – Fredericton, NB
Length: 30 minutes
Produced by: CJPN News Team
Watch: YouTube Link

Theme: Francophone and Indigenous Voter Issues in Rural New Brunswick

Summary:
This French-language episode from CJPN 90.5 FM explores the intersections of economic survival, cultural identity, and political participation for rural Francophone and Indigenous communities in New Brunswick. Through local reflections and interviews, the show paints a picture of political disconnection and renewed grassroots energy. Key themes include economic inequality, underrepresentation, and reconciliation, all leading into the importance of civic participation in communities that often feel excluded from federal political narratives.

Key Segments:

  • 01:30 – 07:00: Economic stress and voter disillusionment in rural NB
  • 07:00 – 13:00: Francophone identity and challenges to cultural inclusion
  • 13:00 – 19:00: Indigenous efforts to increase political presence
  • 19:00 – 29:00: Reflections on change, representation, and post-election hope

🎤 Bonus Episode 6:

CJAS – St. Augustine, QC
Length: 30 minutes
Produced by: CJAS Youth Collective
Watch: YouTube Link

Theme: Youth Political Voices from St. Augustine, Quebec

Summary:
In this youth-led broadcast from CJAS 93.5 FM, young people from a remote part of Quebec speak out about the challenges they face and what they want from federal candidates. Topics include internet connectivity, access to health care, cost of living, and youth disengagement. The tone is hopeful yet grounded in the reality of underfunded services and community isolation. The hosts urge their peers to vote and take ownership of their civic roles, no matter how far they may feel from federal power structures.

Key Segments:

  • 01:00 – 05:00: Housing and affordability issues in remote communities
  • 05:00 – 11:00: The digital divide — lack of reliable internet access
  • 11:00 – 17:00: Rising costs and strained health services
  • 17:00 – 25:00: Why civic engagement matters in rural places

🎤 Bonus Episode 7:

CJQC – Liverpool, NS
Length: 30 minutes
Produced by: QCC News Collective
Watch: YouTube Link

Theme: Political Diversity and Voting Challenges in Queens County

Summary:
CJQC, based in Liverpool, NS, explores how voters in Queens County are navigating a political landscape that includes both mainstream and rising small parties. The show examines how regional boundaries, ID laws, and digital misinformation create tangible barriers to participation. Emphasizing local political diversity, the episode provides thoughtful commentary on how rural Nova Scotians remain engaged despite a sense of political disconnection.

Key Segments:

  • 01:00 – 08:00: Community perspectives on small party platforms
  • 08:00 – 14:00: Voting access and administrative obstacles
  • 14:00 – 22:00: Combating misinformation and media distortion
  • 22:00 – 28:00: Encouragement to stay civically involved

🎤 Bonus Episode 8:

CKUT – Montreal, QC
Length: 30 minutes
Produced by: CKUT News Collective
Watch: YouTube Link

Theme: Palestine Solidarity and Election Engagement in Montreal

Summary:
CKUT’s episode features organizers from the Palestinian Youth Movement, NDG for Palestine, and World Beyond War discussing the Vote Palestine campaign. They unpack five key demands for Canada’s federal government, including a two-way arms embargo and recognition of Palestinian statehood. The conversation also examines Canada’s complicity in foreign conflicts and the impact of grassroots pressure on electoral politics.

Key Segments:

  • 00:30 – 07:00: Meet the panel of Palestine solidarity activists
  • 07:00 – 12:00: How Vote Palestine mobilizes and communicates its platform
  • 12:00 – 19:00: Canadian foreign policy and grassroots resistance
  • 19:00 – 26:30: Movement challenges, community mobilization strategies
  • 26:30 – 30:00: Final reflections and post-election momentum

🎤 Bonus Episode 9:

CHSR – Fredericton, NB
Length: 30 minutes
Host/Producer: Aidan Keenan
Watch: YouTube Link

Theme: Housing, Accessibility, and Political Engagement in Fredericton

Summary:
Broadcast from CHSR 97.9 FM, this episode addresses core issues affecting voters in Fredericton — including homelessness, voting accessibility, and youth engagement. Through interviews with organizations like ACORN NB and Habitat for Humanity, the show reveals how structural barriers impact voter turnout and democratic trust. A segment on a protest at a Pierre Poilievre rally adds a dynamic real-time political reflection.

Key Segments:

  • 02:00 – 10:00: Housing crisis with advocates from ACORN, Habitat, and shelters
  • 10:00 – 13:00: Student turnout concerns during university exam season
  • 13:00 – 16:00: Voting access for unhoused people
  • 16:00 – 21:00: Protest analysis from a Poilievre event
  • 21:00 – 26:00: High school students weigh in on politics

🎤 Bonus Episode 10 (French):

CKMA – Miramichi, NB
Length: 30 minutes
Host/Producer: George V.
Watch: YouTube Link

Theme: Francophone Voices and Regional Issues in New Brunswick

Summary:
CKMA-FM brings a French-language broadcast highlighting the lived realities of Francophone and Indigenous populations in rural New Brunswick. The program blends reflections on environmental policy, economic security, and youth empowerment with interviews from regional candidates and community voices. The focus remains on building local resilience and political self-determination.

Key Segments:

  • 02:00 – 05:00: Why youth voices matter in shaping federal politics
  • 05:00 – 08:00: Francophone and Indigenous perspectives on reconciliation
  • 08:00 – 11:00: Candidate interviews from New Brunswick ridings
  • 11:00 – 14:00: Social housing, environmental responsibility, and economic dependency
  • 14:00 – 29:00: Final reflections on democracy and cultural inclusion

🎤 Bonus Episode 11:

CFRC – Kingston, ON
Length: 30 minutes
Host/Producer: Dinah Jansen
Watch: YouTube Link

Theme: Local Candidates’ Platforms and National Issues

Summary:
Dinah Jansen interviews federal candidates from Kingston and the Islands across party lines, offering a side-by-side comparison of their positions on border control, trade, economic diversification, and public services. This program provides listeners with a unique opportunity to hear directly from the candidates in a thoughtful and non-confrontational setting.

Key Segments:

  • 01:30 – 03:30: Brian Patterson (Conservative) on sovereignty and border policy
  • 03:30 – 06:30: Daria Judy Hope (NDP) on trade, affordability, and resilience
  • 06:30 – 09:30: Fintan Hartnett (Green) on economic fairness and sustainability
  • 09:30 – 12:30: Mark Gerretsen (Liberal) on trade partnerships and modernization
  • 12:30 – 18:00: Wrap-up and reflections from the host

🎤 Bonus Episode 12:

CHUO – Ottawa, ON
Length: 30 minutes
Produced by: CHUO FM Team
Watch: YouTube Link

Theme: Influencers, Misinformation, and Digital Media in Elections

Summary:
From CHUO 89.1 FM, this episode focuses on the influence of online content creators and the threat of misinformation during the election cycle. With guest Dr. Elizabeth Dubois, the show explores how synthetic media, targeted disinformation, and AI-generated content are altering public discourse and shaping political outcomes.

Key Segments:

  • 01:00 – 08:00: Interview with Dr. Dubois on influencers and disinformation
  • 08:00 – 16:00: Media literacy challenges across different demographics
  • 16:00 – 24:00: The ethical and political impact of AI and synthetic influencers
  • 24:00 – 25:00: Final summary and action steps for voters

🎤 Bonus Episode 13:

CHEB – Winnipeg, MB
Length: 30 minutes
Host/Producer: Ryan Funk
Watch: YouTube Link

Theme: Youth Engagement, Housing, and Indigenous Rights in Winnipeg

Summary:
Ryan Funk hosts a vibrant and multilingual conversation from CHEB-FM and U Multicultural in Winnipeg. The show features newcomer, Indigenous, and youth voices on the federal election, including an interview in Ukrainian. Guests reflect on issues like campaign finance rules, climate change, cost of living, and inter-community collaboration.

Key Segments:

  • 01:00 – 07:00: Understanding campaign spending and electoral finance
  • 07:00 – 14:00: Interview with Communist Party candidate on activism and alliances
  • 14:00 – 22:00: Indigenous and newcomer perspectives on civic belonging
  • 22:00 – 28:00: Economic insecurity, housing, and environmental responsibility
  • 28:00 – 28:30: Closing message for voters

About Our Supporters

The #AltElxn 2025 project was made possible through the generous support of the Covering Democracy Election 2025 Fund, a collaborative initiative of:

  • The Public Policy Forum
  • The Rideau Hall Foundation
  • The Michener Awards Foundation

Together, these organizations are committed to strengthening public interest journalism, amplifying underrepresented voices, and fostering civic participation across Canada. Their investment in community, campus, and Indigenous radio ensures that local perspectives remain central to our democratic conversation.