Act now! Write to your MP before February 1, 2025, to secure funding for community radio—time is running out!
The Community Radio Initiative (CRI) is a campaign aimed at raising awareness of the essential role community radio plays in amplifying local voices, culture, and music. It seeks to address the critical need for consistent government support and inspire collective advocacy to ensure the long-term sustainability of these stations.
At an annual cost of under
$25 million
- Some of this already comes from digital broadcasters, and the Community Radio Initiative will strengthen licensed community, Indigenous, and campus radio stations.
When the government updated the Broadcasting Act to require digital broadcasters to support Canadian voices, the Community Radio Initiative was included as part of this funding structure. Of the $24.5 million required, $6 million is expected to come from digital broadcasters by 2026. We now need your help to secure the remaining $18.5 million in the 2025 federal budget. This funding would transform community radio in Canada, ensuring continued access to vital local news and information.
This funding would transform community radio in Canada, protecting access to crucial local news and stories that bring our communities together.
Read the full Community Radio Initiative proposal to learn more about the plan.
They are the last line of reliable, immediate, and trustworthy local news. Owned by community non-profit boards, these stations are run by locals, for locals.
As not-for-profits, every dollar they receive is reinvested into the communities they serve. They play the music others won’t, elevate local stories, and broadcast in our languages.
These stations are where we find our voice and hear our community—always there when we need them.
235
Community Radio Stations
65+
Program languages
1
Mission to Support
Ultimately, the success of these stations relies on the people behind them.
The solution is simple and it has been proven to work, but we need your help.
All you have to do is simply enter your city, and your MP will appear. It’s easy! Once you've found your MP, a pre-written letter will be provided, emphasizing the importance of supporting your local community and detailing the Community Radio Initiative.
Write to your MP!
Postal Code Error Message
Copied! Now paste it in your email to box using CTRL-V
Copied! Now paste this into your email body using CTRL-V
When shaping Canadian broadcast policy, we often look to Australia—our countries share similar demographics and economies. Yet, Australia’s community radio sector has thrived, offering lessons for Canada.
In a country with two-thirds the population of Canada, Australia has more than twice the number of community radio stations.
Australia
Population of 23 million people
Canada
Population of 35 million people
In a country with two-thirds the population of Canada, Australia has more than twice the number of community radio stations. This is the result of the government investing approximately $20 million annually in the sector. Since 1994, Australia’s Community Broadcasting Association has received over $20 million annually, supporting 450 stations—30% of which are First Nations broadcasters. This funding has helped community radio reach over a quarter of Australians aged 15+ as regular listeners.
Canada’s community radio sector, with 235 stations and 2.4 million listeners, is growing but still faces funding challenges. Australia’s example shows what’s possible.
While community, Indigenous, and campus radio are needed, they are not supported. What these stations need, more than anything else, is a little help to run their operations.
Nearly half of the community stations in Canada operate on less than $200,000 a year. They benefit from a network of devoted volunteers, but just think what they could do with a little support.
