The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) announced Sept. 26 it will introduce a new radio station for the Kitchener-Waterloo area commencing in the fall of 2012.
Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong said, “Waterloo Region and Wellington County are home to over half a million Canadians. I’m thrilled that the CBC is establishing this new station to serve our local communities. This station will report on issues of importance to our local communities, providing on the ground coverage of News and events. This new station also demonstrates our government’s commitment to public broadcasting.”
As Chair of Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, Chong strongly encouraged Hubert T. Lacroix, President and CEO of the CBC, to establish a new radio station in southwestern Ontario.
In February of this year, Lacroix appeared as a witness at the standing committee to outline the CBC’s new five-year plan, called “Everyone, Every Way.”
Lacroix added, “Announcing new local services confirms that we are committed to delivering on our promise of a stronger relationship with Canadians. With new delivery models, CBC continues to evolve into a modern and agile public broadcaster.”
Details about the new radio station will be announced in coming months.
More than seven million Canadians live in large population centres that are either unserved or underserved by CBC. The public broadcaster’s strategic plan is aimed at reaching approximately 6 million Canadians with new or expanded local services over the next four years. In May, CBC made announcements for weekend News in Toronto and Calgary and unveiled plans for new services in Kelowna, Kamloops and Victoria. Other recent announcements have included Edmonton, Halifax, St. John’s, London and Ottawa.
