Between April and September, the civic journalism produced at U Multicultural played a vital role in amplifying the voices of newcomers and strengthening dialogue across the community. Through podcasts, articles, and interviews, short viral videos, we highlighted challenges faced by immigrants, women navigating independence in Canada, and families adapting to new realities. By focusing on local experiences, these stories resonated deeply with audiences and helped reduce barriers between cultural groups.
Episodes exploring Canada’s healthcare system, the adaptation process, and workplace culture not only informed newcomers but also sparked meaningful dialogue among long-time residents. Listeners engaged in discussions about access, equity, and inclusion, with several local organizations reaching out to collaborate or share resources in response to the coverage.
One significant impact was the attention drawn to the voices of Ukrainian women arriving in Canada with children, often facing financial, emotional, and professional challenges. By telling these stories authentically, we opened a platform for shared understanding and inspired conversations about community support and policy needs.
This body of work strengthened civic life by giving underrepresented voices visibility, informing decision-makers about real struggles in their communities, and encouraging residents to engage with one another across cultural lines. The journalism did more than report—it created a bridge, helping people feel seen, heard, and connected in a new country.
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About LJI
LJI Impact is the section of commediaportal.ca where the journalists and their organizations participating in CACTUS' Local Journalism Initiative can share their greatest successes.
Through the written stories, photos and videos you see in the LJI Impact section, you'll be able to read first hand accounts about how the presence of a community journalist is making a difference in communities across Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative and the Community Media Portal.
The Community Media Portal is a gateway to the audio-visual media created by community media centres across Canada. These include traditional community TV and radio stations, as well as online and new media production centres.
Community media are not-for-profit production hubs owned and operated by the communities they serve, established both to provide local content and reflection for their communities, as well as media training and access for ordinary citizens to the latest tools of media production, whether traditional TV and radio, social and online media, virtual reality, augmented reality or video games.
The Community Media Portal has been funded by the Local Journalism Initiative (the LJI) of the Department of Canadian Heritage, and administered by the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS) in association with the Fédération des télévisions communautaires autonomes du Québec (the Fédération). Under the LJI, over 100 journalists have been placed in underserved communities and asked to produce civic content that underpins Canadian democratic life.
