Amplifying Voices, Illuminating Truths: My Commitment to Covering Community, BIPOC, and Underreported Stories in Simcoe County

In 2024, as a reporter for Simcoe Community Media, I, Deepak Bidwai, had the privilege of bringing powerful visual stories to life from Barrie and across Simcoe County—stories that often go untold. I covered diverse issues spanning the county, from Barrie, its largest urban center, to Tiny Township, a region far greater than Barrie in land area but with less than a tenth of its population.

Giving Voice to a Diverse Community

Throughout the year, my reporting highlighted underserved communities, including Indigenous peoples, Black residents, South Asian communities, women, and LGBTQ individuals. My coverage of Indigenous issues spanned several impactful stories, including commemorations of Truth and Reconciliation Day, during which I interviewed Indigenous leaders and descendants of residential school survivors to amplify their voices and perspectives.

During Black History Month, I profiled young Black artists from Simcoe County, reflecting on their achievements, personal journeys, and the unique challenges they continue to face. Additionally, I shared the inspiring story of a female paramedic who overcame stereotypes, recalling how her high school guidance counsellor once discouraged her by stating paramedicine was not a job suited for women. Her resilience became a powerful testament to challenging gender norms and redefining possibilities.

Through these stories, my goal remained steadfast: to illuminate experiences, uplift marginalized voices, and foster greater community understanding across Simcoe County.

Healthcare, housing insecurity, mental health, and drug addiction remain among the most pressing issues facing Barrie and Simcoe County. Throughout my reporting over several years, including 2024, I have closely followed these critical topics, establishing strong relationships with community leaders and organizations dedicated to addressing them.

Last year, my coverage included the ongoing struggles of encampment residents in Barrie who continued to resist eviction orders, the severe affordable housing crisis in Simcoe County—illustrated starkly by more than 3,000 applicants competing for only 130 available units within a month—and the local debate surrounding public safety initiatives, notably following a controversial press conference by Barrie’s mayor, which drew criticism from social services advocates.

Additionally, I reported on and participated in national-level discussions about homelessness solutions, notably hosting and moderating a panel with Voice of Men 360, which brought together experts from across Canada to engage directly with community members. Extending the scope of my reporting, I visited a large encampment ("Tent City") in Kitchener, approximately 160 kilometers from Barrie, to explore innovative, community-driven responses to homelessness.

In Barrie specifically, I extensively covered advocacy efforts around the city’s proposed safe consumption site, approved locally and federally but awaiting provincial authorization. Various groups—including Simcoe County Health Coalition, Moms Stop the Harm, Gilbert Centre, and Ryan’s Hope—organized multiple protests, events, and panel discussions urging provincial action. Simcoe Community Media was uniquely present at many of these gatherings, providing exclusive coverage as hundreds of Barrie residents publicly demonstrated their support.

Furthermore, I reported on tensions around affordable housing activism of a Simcoe County resident, notably covering advocate Angela Vos, who faced charges related to her participation in a protest advocating for housing justice in Hamilton.

One of the most significant stories I covered last year was the environmental protest in Barrie opposing the construction of an artificial turf sports field near the city's waterfront. Over several months, I reported extensively on this issue—from the numerous deputations presented at city council meetings, to interviews with protest leaders, in-depth coverage of demonstrations, and tours of the affected waterfront area alongside environmental experts and community activists. My reporting highlighted residents' concerns about potential environmental impacts and transparency in the city's decision-making process, while also capturing perspectives from project supporters who emphasized community benefits. Complementing these more serious environmental reports, I also covered lighter community-driven sustainability efforts, including a story about the local nonprofit Firebird Community Cycle and their initiatives promoting bicycle repair workshops and eco-friendly transportation in Barrie. 

Another story that garnered significant community attention and support was my coverage of Barrie's municipal budget. Simcoe Community Media uniquely highlighted the unequal scrutiny applied by city council between different service providers—particularly the library and police budgets. While Barrie Public Library faced intense scrutiny over relatively minor financial increases, the police department's significantly larger budget was approved with little resistance. My exclusive interview with Library CEO Lauren Jessop offered residents deeper insight into these issues, emphasizing the library's role in fostering community, inclusivity, and quality service.

My reporting also examined critical policing issues, particularly around budget allocation, accountability, and the safety of minority and vulnerable communities. After Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston publicly criticized media coverage as negatively influencing public perception, I actively pursued transparency, including follow-ups with the police department regarding incidents such as the alleged arson attack targeting an Indian family in Barrie. Despite these efforts, Simcoe Community Media frequently faced barriers, often being denied access to public officials who readily spoke to larger media outlets.

Notably, we were the only media organization present during a tense confrontation when police dispersed a peaceful demonstration at MPP Andrea Khanjin's Barrie office regarding the stalled approval of a local safe consumption site.

Beyond Barrie, I covered significant municipal stories across Simcoe County, including the contentious annexation issue in Oro-Medonte and detailed budget deliberations in Springwater and Innisfil.

Currently, I am pursuing an ongoing investigative project related to the development of a new town hall in Tiny Township. Since mid-2024, I have interviewed residents, activists, and environmental experts who allege their concerns have been systematically suppressed by local authorities. Videos from this investigation, shared on YouTube and Instagram, have amassed thousands of views, prompting numerous residents to reach out with appreciation for bringing attention to their concerns.

All these stories reached thousands of residents across Simcoe County, fostering community engagement, deepening public understanding of vital local issues, and solidifying Simcoe Community Media as an independent and trusted voice for residents. This impactful reporting was made possible through critical funding from CACTUS and our non-profit status, which allows us to cover stories freely, independently, and without bias—unconstrained by commercial interests or advertiser influence.

The Challenges of Being a BIPOC Journalist

Yet, despite our successes, there have been significant challenges.

Both I and fellow Indigenous intern Star Noganosh have faced racism while covering Barrie City Hall, notably when we were unfairly stopped from entering the premises by a white security guard, despite white visitors being allowed entry without incident. To date, we've received no satisfactory explanation or resolution from Barrie City Council regarding this discriminatory treatment.

Additionally, I was directly targeted by a Barrie city councillor who demanded I turn off my camera as I prepared to leave city hall, even though recording is explicitly permitted in public areas. Despite reaching out formally to the City Clerk and Barrie’s mayor regarding this incident, I have not received any response or acknowledgment.

These troubling experiences highlight ongoing challenges for journalists, particularly those from racialized backgrounds, in Barrie and Simcoe County. The lack of accountability and action from city leadership has created an environment where reporters’ rights, safety, and dignity are not adequately protected, posing significant obstacles to independent journalism and community transparency.

The extensive breadth and depth of the issues, combined with the county's sheer geographic size, also continue to present significant operational challenges. Funding limitations, particularly the lack of sustained year-round support, have increasingly impacted our capacity to consistently deliver the high-quality journalism our community deserves.

What Inclusive Local Journalism Needs to Thrive

Over the years, I've relied on invaluable support from dedicated volunteers—most notably Jaya Bondre, who has contributed extensively, and Christine Nayler, who recently began assisting in our reporting efforts. However, insufficient funding for myself and a complete absence of compensation for our committed volunteers make it increasingly difficult to sustain effective collaboration.

Additionally, the rapidly growing South Asian communities in Simcoe County remain significantly underserved in local media. Previously, reporter Jaya extensively covered important issues impacting both Hindu and Muslim communities, but this vital work was halted due to funding reductions. 

We have also faced significant reductions in funding that impacted the work of our Indigenous reporter, Samantha Looney. Samantha has provided crucial coverage across a vast Métis region, highlighting not only essential Indigenous perspectives but also examining broader community issues such as housing, healthcare, and drug addiction through an Indigenous lens. 

This funding reduction has greatly limited our ability to comprehensively address these important stories, thereby weakening the representation and voices of Indigenous and South Asian communities in our local journalism.

There is a need to better understand, appreciate, and reflect the contributions, challenges, and distinct cultural identities of these underrepresented and marginalized communities. Adequate funding for journalism serving diverse populations including BIPOC, is essential—not only to amplify underrepresented voices but to foster greater inclusion and mutual understanding across Canadian society.