Thank you, Madam Chair.
Good morning and thank you, committee, for the opportunity to speak today.
My name is Cathy Cena. I'm the executive director of Tri Cities Community Television in British Columbia. I've been involved in community television and local journalism for over 11 years as both a host and a community-based journalist.
I'd like to begin by offering an important distinction. While many organizations participating in the local journalism initiative are traditional broadcasters serving what are often called “media deserts”, we represent a different but equally important gap. We are an access-based community television organization operating in what I would describe as a community television desert.
In many regions across British Columbia, such as Kelowna, Kamloops and Penticton, residents have access to community television through providers like Rogers, but here in the Lower Mainland, despite its being one of the most populated areas in the province, there are no equivalent opportunities for community-driven television. That gap matters, because community media is not just about broadcasting. It's about participation. It's about giving people a platform to share their stories, their perspectives and their voices.
At Tri-Cities Community Television, we serve Coquitlam, Port Moody and Port Coquitlam—communities where many important stories go unreported by larger media outlets. In many ways, our region has also become what is often referred to as a news desert. There is limited consistent coverage of local civic issues, municipal decision-making and the work of community organizations. These are the stories that directly impact people's daily lives. Too often, they are missed.
Through our work, we will fill that gap. We amplify local voices. We highlight non-profits. We cover elections, and we create space for meaningful conversations that would not otherwise exist. Local journalism is not about delivering information. It's about connection, accountability and community identity. When people see themselves reflected in local media, they feel engaged. When local government is covered, there is greater transparency. When community organizations are highlighted, they are supported. Without this, communities become disconnected.
Despite the importance of this work, community media organizations like ours face significant and ongoing challenges. We operate with limited and unstable funding. We lack long-term sustainability models. We are meeting increasing demand with fewer resources, and we are navigating a rapidly changing media landscape.
Programs like the local journalism initiative have been incredibly valuable. They have allowed us to expand our journalism and better serve our community. We also recognize the support of broader federal programs, such as the Canada periodical fund and aid to publishers, which play an important role in sustaining Canada's journalism ecosystem.
However, these programs are not a complete solution for organizations like ours. In fact, our organization is currently facing a critical challenge. Just a few years ago, Telus acknowledged that we were exactly the type of community-based organization that they should be supporting: one that works with volunteers and produces programming about what is happening in our community. Since then, the funding has been cut, and that loss has had a real impact. It has placed pressure on our ability to sustain programming, support our team and continue participating fully in initiatives like the LJI.
We are now seeking additional funding, not just to grow but to maintain essential operations, including arts and culture programming and program management. Today, I would respectfully encourage the committee to consider a few key actions: continued and expanded support for community-based media; stable multi-year funding models that allow organizations to plan and grow; recognition of community media as essential infrastructure within Canada's media ecosystem; and investment in training and development for local journalists, particularly in underserved regions.
Community media is where stories begin. It's where people feel seen, heard and connected. In many cases, it's the only place where stories are told at all. We are not just reporting on our communities. We are part of them.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my perspective. I look forward to your questions.