Thank you, Raj.
Unifor represents approximately 9,000 media workers across Canada. In the last several years alone, hundreds of journalists and media employees have lost their jobs. When newsrooms shrink, the consequences are immediate. There are fewer reporters at city hall, fewer investigative projects, fewer rural correspondents and more reliance on centralized news content, yet the demand for reliable information has never been greater, as Freshet News can tell you.
We are living through a period of geopolitical instability, rising misinformation and increasing public cynicism. Journalism is one of the few professions capable of grounding public debate in verified fact. Failing to stabilize Canadian journalism means surrendering not just jobs but our sovereignty—losing the local accountability, shared facts and democratic resilience that safeguard our nation's independence.
Journalism is essential to a functioning democracy. The Canadian government should treat it like a national park. It's something that must be nurtured, protected and properly funded for future generations.