Reinstate specific local radio stations
Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to work with Rogers Media to reinstate CityNews 570 (Kitchener); News 1130 and Sportsnet 650 (Vancouver); 660 News Radio and Sportsnet 960 (Calgary); and 95.7 NewsRadio (Halifax).
Why we would sign this petition
- Restores local journalism capacity by bringing back stations that provide region‑specific news and programming, helping residents stay informed about community issues.
- Reinforces community identity by preserving outlets that highlight local culture, sports and community leaders.
- Maintains a local platform for public discussion and timely or emergency information that national outlets may not cover.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Asking government to intervene with a private company may raise concerns about undue regulatory interference in editorial or business decisions.
- Reinstating specific stations may be impractical or costly if the broadcaster cites financial or operational reasons for closures.
- Policy alternatives like funding independent local journalism or community media might be more sustainable than restoring particular commercial stations.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the Government of Canada Local radio and journalism are important to Canadians; Abrupt closures of local radio stations by Rogers Media leave citizens without a vital public service; Local culture and community issues that matter to citizens are shared and discussed through local radio programs; and Local radio stations offer a vital public service. They are our eyes and ears on the ground, offering news tailored to the needs of our region. They highlight our local culture, our sports teams, and our community leaders. Without local journalism, we lose our voice, our platform for communal dialogue, and a significant link in our community identity. We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to stand up for local radio and work with Rogers Media to reinstate City News 570 in Kitchener, News 1130 and Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver, 660 News Radio and Sportsnet 960 in Calgary, and 95.7 NewsRadio in Halifax.
Government response
No government response is available yet.