CBC Bolsters Local News Coverage With 33 Journalist Hires

Courtesy: CBC/Evan Mitsui

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is making a significant investment in local news coverage for the second year in a row. CBC will hire 33 new local journalists, while creating 11 new bureaus in underserved areas.  This announcement comes on the heels ofCBC adding 30 journalists last year across 22 rural communities. They now have 77 bureaus throughout the ten provinces and three territories.

CBC’s editor in chief Brodie Fenlon put the announcement in perspective – “It's a historic investment in local journalism by the CBC. And it comes at a critical moment, with local news in steep decline across Canada.”  A 2025 report found that almost 2.5 million Canadians live in a postal code with 1 or 0 local news outlets – double the number from 2008. 

The expansion was likely made possible when CBC received a $150 million funding boost from Mark Carney’s 2025-26 budget.  The national broadcaster has also been privy to roughly $7 million annually, created by the Online News Act’s side deal with Google.  Meanwhile, opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has vowed to defund the CBC, should he ever come into power.  That desire, does not correspond with the wishes of Canadians, as 3 in 4 want the CBC to continue. Organizations such as Friends of Canadian Media, have advocated for increased funding, with their viral campaign ‘Fu** The CBC’.

According to a 2025 study from Nordicity, the CBC generates approximately $3.2 billion for the Canadian economy, including nearly 29,000 jobs.  On New Year’s they hosted a 7.5-hour special, going live from coast-to-coast ringing in the new year.  Founded 89 years ago, CBC remains an integral part of Canadian culture.

The new bureaus and journalists will help the ongoing battle against rural news deserts in Canada.  MAP are thrilled for the people in these rural communities who will be better served with local news, but we will continue the mission to have comprehensive, credible and independent media in every corner of this country!