Viewpoints

The Steph Peaks and Friends Drag Show promises a “next level” event at Liverpool’s Astor Theatre. Wilberforce’s “Fun”-raising Committee will host the first ever community clothing swap. A World War II hero was honored in Cobourg and in Norway for paving the path for women to serve. The Courtenay Youth Climate Corps recap first summer in Courtenay. And we say farewell, as the curtain falls on Viewpoints, which is leaving the air waves. That’s us! 

It’s time for us to bid you farewell. Please let us take a moment to thank everyone. First a big hug to the journalists who contributed to this final edition: Rick Conrad, Heather Watson, Dan Jones, and Elizabeth Oakley. And to all you, from east to west, north and south, who took part in the show, our journalists, you filled my imagination and workdays with your curiosity and hard work. Years spent learning and discovering Canada, through your eyes and ears. My mind and heart are content! 

I need to thank Victoria Fenner and Conrad Fox, our English National Editors. Having the privilege of working and enjoying your day with such a great team is maybe not that common. I’ve had this chance for many years now. I wish to acknowledge their sharp minds, love for radio, and for the profession, and tell them how much fun it was to be with you. You’ll hear their voices at the end of the show. 

A heartfelt thanks to all the composers and musicians—those who lent us their music as a backdrop, adding colour and texture to our commentary and reports over the years. Viewpoints was brought to you by the Community Radio Fund of Canada and the Local Journalism Initiative, who gave us a voice. Thank you. Thanks to the local radio stations, general managers and program directors that aired Viewpoints over the past three to four years. And, to you, our listeners. 

My name is Boris Chassagne, your host and producer. Thank you, everyone. 

Montreal tenants march against rent-increase changes proposed by the provinces’ CAQ government. The city of Kingston breaks ground on Canada’s first-ever digital air traffic facility? The Winnipeg Fibre Festival highlights tariff struggles and pushes to rebuild Canada’s wool industry. The First Peoples’ Gathering House opens at SFU in Burnaby. And a Canadian glass artist flies to Tanzania to help local artisans forge new markets. 

Thanks to the LJI team and to our journalists today, Rick Conrad, Jules Bugiel, Dany Nesvaderani, Christena Lawrie, and Ryan Funk. Our National Editors are Victoria Fenner and Conrad Fox. Host and producer Boris Chassagne. Viewpoints is brought to you by the Community Radio Fund of Canada and the Local Journalism Initiative. 

On this week’s show, we’ve got happy stories from small-town Canada lined up for you! Our first story will be about a local historian lobbying the local council to establish an “official village fungus” and she has an idea for a potential nominee. We’ll go country hopping and settle in Kingston, Waterloo and Haliburton to tell you about the comic book Witch Hazel, about the Empty Soup Bowl fundraiser, and the 5th annual Dining Trail and Taste The Countryside, events. Youth Unlimited and a retail store team up to outfit local students with new school supplies. And in downtown Winnipeg, the Dalnavert Museum marks its 130th anniversary. 

And that’s it for this episode of Viewpoints. Thanks to the LJI team and to our many journalists today. Elizabeth Oakley, Christena Lawrie, Pamela Hassen, Ryan Funk, Rick Conrad, Heather Watson, and Dan Kellar. Our National Editors are Victoria Fenner and Conrad Fox. Host and producer, Boris Chassagne. Viewpoints is brought to you by the Community Radio Fund of Canada and the Local Journalism Initiative. 

University students stuck in Gaza miss the opening bell and speak out about Canada’s delayed visa process. Two were killed while waiting. This, as the city of Fergus welcomes its newest elementary school. A summer company program gives local teens practical experience as entrepreneurs. The family of murdered Cape Breton man faces the accused killer for the first time.

And a popular fundraiser for Nova Scotia’s Liverpool Hospital is back on track. 
And that’s it for this episode of Viewpoints. Thanks to our journalists Adam Inniss, Paul Herriott, Elizabeth Oakley, Jacob Postlewaite, and Rick Conrad. National Editors are Conrad Fox and Victoria Fenner. Host and producer, Boris Chassagne. Viewpoints is brought to you by the Community Radio Fund of Canada and the Local Journalism Initiative. 

The Brooklyn Marina rolls out the red carpet for Nova Scotia’s sailing ambassador. The famous Blue Nose II. We stay on the water as the Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup hits the city of Kingston, Ontario. To Montreal, where a gardening group is trying to revive a long-lost and historic melon! Domestic beer sales down in Newfoundland and Labrador. But cannabis sales are on the rise ! A 60-foot electric bus hits the road in Winnipeg and paves the way for possible expansion. And the Canine Stars, a famous American travelling stunt dog show, makes a stop in B.C.’s Bulkley Valley. 

Thanks to our journalists, Pamela Hassen, Tonya Organ, Rick Conrad, Ryan Funk, Adam Inniss and Christena Laurie. National Editors are Conrad Fox and Victoria Fenner. Host and producer, Boris Chassagne. Viewpoints is brought to you by the Community Radio Fund of Canada and the Local Journalism Initiative. 

A bison sculpture carries hope for Manitoba’s tall grass prairies. The Buy Canadian movement draws more shoppers to local farmers’ markets. Fredericton’s Community Kitchen’s pilot summer student meal program hits the mark. And the West Montrose historic “kissing bridge” closes for major restoration. New lips will have to wait for 16 months, at least! 

Thanks to our journalists this week, Aidan Keenan, Lauryn Mackenzie, Paul Heriott, and Ryan Funk. To both our National Editors, Victoria Fenner and Conrad Fox. Host and producer Boris Chassagne.Viewpoints is produced by the Community Radio Fund of Canada and the Local Journalism Initiative. 

In the Ontario town of Fergus, a long-forgotten 1954 time capsule opens a window into Fergus’s past. Young entrepreneurs in Cobourg present their summer projects at a business expo. A music camp for families has struck a chord in the Comox Valley. A tanning workshop in Hazelton shares the secrets of this ancient practice. And the Terry Fox Run returns to Confederation Bridge, an “incredible experience” that helps raise funds for cancer research. 

Our journalists this week are Paul Heriott, Pamela Hassen, Dan Jones, Ericia Butler and Heather Watson. Our National Editors are Victoria Fenner and Conrad Fox. Viewpoints is produced by the Community Radio Fund of Canada and the Local Journalism Initiative. Host and producer Boris Chassagne. 

The star of the Great Lakes Museum, the S. S. Keewatin, is named the 2025 Museum Ship of the Year. Newcomers, Non-Indigenous, and All Nations share the Healing Together Powwow. The Gimli International Film Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary. It’s now Canada’s largest rural film festival. Nova Scotia bans most activities in woods, trails and more to curb wildfire risk. Ban in effect till Oct 15! And Cape Breton’s African Nova Scotian community marks Emancipation Day on August 1st.

Thanks to our journalists William Baliko, Ryan Funk, Christian Lawrie, Rick Conrad, and Jakob Postlewaite. Host and producer Boris Chassagne. National Editors are Victoria Fenner and Conrad Fox. Viewpoints is brought to you by the Community Radio Fund of Canada, the Local Journalism Initiative. 

The Upper Credit Humane Society Faces Eviction after 30 years spent at the same address, in Erin, Ontario. The National Youth Orchestra will play in Nanaimo: A local musician gets to live his dream. Montreal’s Historical Fencing Society is keeping medieval brawls alive. A new public art pilot project brings colour to Kingston’s downtown, as local artists take over the traffic control boxes. And the New Brunswick Museum is getting a new look. Construction is underway while public fundraising continues. The goal is to raise $35M. And they are half-way there! 

Our journalists this week are Adam Inniss, Christena Lawrie, Lauryn MacKenzie, Paul Herriot, and Iona Coe. National Editors are Victoria Fenner and Conrad Fox. Host and producer Boris Chassagne. Viewpoints is brought to you by the Community Radio Fund of Canada and the Local Journalism Initiative. 

More at FrequencyNews.ca

A day at the beach celebrates Disability Pride Month in Queens County, Nova Scotia. Same province but further out: A blue whale was spotted off the coast of Ingonish. Whale watchers amazed at the 90-foot-long mammal. In British Columbia, Texada Island’s residents say they are “devastated” by the death of Tex the Grizzly Bear. Tex was found shot dead about a week ago. And the replica of a 19th century ship built in Saint John finds a permanent home on the city’s waterfront.

Our journalists this week were Bill MacCuish, Rick Conrad, Iona Coe and Heather Watson. Our National Editors are Victoria Fenner and Conrad Fox. Viewpoints is bought to you by the Community Radio Fund of Canada and the Local Journalism Initiative. I’m your host and producer, Boris Chassagne.