Canada 2020, the Ottawa-based think-tank, has launched a new podcast network dedicated to Canadian politics, policy, government affairs, media and big ideas

Canada 2020, the Ottawa-based think-tank, has launched a new podcast network dedicated to Canadian politics, policy, government affairs, media and big ideas. The 2020 Network presented by Interac will feature multiple shows starting with: Wonk With Mike, hosted by Canada 2020’s Mike Moffatt, a weekly deep-dive into the world of economics, statistics, and policy development; Explain Like I’m Five (ELI5), recorded live in front of a studio audience and hosted by Alex Paterson, asks participants to take a hot, but complex topic like cryptocurrencies or machine learning and “explain it like I’m 5”; /Thread is the network’s weekly Friday wrap-up show on the week in politics, government and policy featuring press gallery pundits, MPs, think-tank friends and family. Listeners can subscribe on iTunes, Google Play Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Newcap Radio Kamloops has announced the launch of the “NL Morning News” with Howie Reimer and Shane Woodford. The show, which officially debuted on June 6, will include breaking local news, talk and commentary. Peter Olsen, who previously hosted the CHNL-AM morning show for 37 years, announced his retirement last month.

The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation and radio stations CJAD 800, 95.9 Virgin Radio (CJFM-FM), CHOM 97 7 and TSN Radio 690 (CKGM-AM), raised $1,315,000 during the 2018 Caring for Kids Radiothon, which aired on May 31. Live from the Children’s P.K. Subban four-story Atrium, 19 patients and their families courageously shared how the hospital’s professionals saved their children’s lives. Over a dozen hospital staff also joined CJAD’s Eramelinda Boquer live, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. In 15 years, more than $23 million has been raised for the Healthy Kids Fund, which meets the hospital’s most urgent needs.

The Radio for Cardiology Radiothon on 104.1 The Dock (CICZ-FM) Midland, ON and KICX 106 (CICS-FM) Sudbury raised more than $53,000. The 10th annual event, which has raised about $750,000 to date, supports the cardiac intervention unit and cardiac catheterization lab at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre.

The Country 101.1 Country Cares Radiothon saw CKBY-FM station staff spend May 31 broadcasting from CHEO (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario). This year’s radiothon raised $40,235.

CFUR-FM Prince George, the campus radio station at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) is once again offering a summer teen radio academy. Three 10-day camps will take place for youth ages 14-18 who have an interest in making radio. This is the third year the CFUR radio academy has been held, supported by funding from the Canada Summer Jobs grant.

Joe Bowen, who has served as the voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs for 36 years, is set to be honoured by the Hockey Hall of Fame. Bowen, who currently calls games on TSN 1050 (CHUM-AM) and Sportsnet The Fan 590 (CJCL-FM), will receive the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster. He was selected by the NHL Broadcasters’ Association. Longtime hockey writer Larry Brooks will also be honoured with the Elmer Ferguson Award for excellence in hockey journalism. They’ll receive their awards Nov. 12 at the Hockey Hall of Fame NHL Media Awards luncheon.

The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council has received a complaint after Energie (CKMF-FM) Montreal radio host Jose Gaudet likened singer and entertainer Gregory Charles to fecal matter. On the broadcast in question on May 17, Gaudet was recounting the story of a BC woman caught on video that appeared to show her defecating in a Tim Hortons, then throwing her feces at staff. Gaudet issued an apology the following day. Bell Media says the comments are contrary to the company’s standards and code of conduct and the matter has been dealt with internally.

Cumulus Media, the second largest radio company in the U.S., has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The deal with creditors will allow it to cut its debt to $1.3 billion, down from $2.34 billion. The Atlanta-based company, which owns 446 radio stations in 90 markets, filed for bankruptcy protection in Nov. 2017.

On this week’s Broadcast Dialogue podcast, publisher Shawn Smith talks to JJ Johnston, the man that everybody knows. From his early days as a radio jock town to town and up and down the dial, to his days at the programming helm of CFOX in Vancouver and then running the show at Corus in Toronto, JJ has made friends everywhere he’s been. And for the past five years he’s been the prinscipal of his own company, JJ International Media and Management Solutions.