Toward a Renewed Collaboration Between Radio-Canada and the North

From September 24 to 26, Marie-Philippe Bouchard, President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, visited Yellowknife to meet with local communities and organizations. This visit reflects her clear commitment to building bridges, collaborating with those working on the ground, and gaining a deeper understanding of the realities experienced in the North.

Conversations on Northern Issues

As part of this tour, Collège Nordique and the Association franco-culturelle de Yellowknife (AFCY) were invited to a special meeting. Rosie Benning, Director of Teaching and Training at the Collège, along with Geneviève Charron, Chair of the AFCY Board of Directors, had the opportunity to discuss the challenges faced by minority communities, particularly in education, culture, and training.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of resources already offered by CBC/Radio-Canada, such as Mauril, Ohdio, and its archives, which support language learning and student integration. Representation within these tools was emphasized as an essential factor in reflecting the cultural diversity of Francophone and Indigenous communities in the North and in strengthening the sense of inclusion.

These conversations opened the door to exploring concrete avenues of collaboration to better meet the needs of Francophone communities and to highlight Indigenous representation in the region. The richness of these exchanges contributes to the national conversation on the vitality of minority communities and the crucial role of public service media.

Human and Constructive Connections

Beyond formal discussions, the visit also took place in a convivial setting during a dinner at Trader’s Grill on September 25. This moment of closeness helped strengthen ties and showcased the shared commitment to investing in the future of Northern communities.

As Rosie Benning emphasized:
“I’m pleased to see the Radio-Canada team taking the time to build relationships and understand our realities, in order to invest in the vitality and future of our communities.”

A Strong Signal for the Future

The presence of CBC/Radio-Canada’s President and CEO in Yellowknife is a strong signal of commitment to Francophone and Indigenous communities in the North, and a recognition of their contribution to the cultural and social richness of the country.

By fostering listening, dialogue, and collaboration, this meeting paves the way for new initiatives that will better respond to the realities of the North and strengthen the essential role of public service media.

Published on September 26th 2025