
The National Campus and Community Radio Association’s 43rd conference, NCRC43, held in Nanaimo, BC from June 17–20, and hosted by CHLY 101.7 FM at Vancouver Island University, was a resounding success, bringing together over 85 participants from more than 30 campus, community, and Indigenous radio stations across Canada.
The conference featured Jon Bisset, CEO of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, who shared international insights on community media sustainability and innovation, as well as an inspiring speech from Nirmala Naidoo – CRTC Commissioner (Alberta and NWT).
The NCRA also handed out the CRABOs, its Community Radio Awards, celebrating outstanding achievement by member campus and community radio stations.
Toronto Metropolitan University’s CJTM (Met Radio) claimed a leading five awards, including Best in Podcasting for Mulberries, hosted by Yasaman Mansoori and Sean Warkentine. Dalhousie University campus station, CKDU, captured four awards, including Volunteer of the Year for Ryan Somers (aka R$ $mooth). The University of Calgary Student Radio Society, CJSW, also claimed four wins, sweeping four music programming categories. Other multiple award winners included the University of the Fraser Valley’s CIVL-FM Abbotsford; Concordia University’s CJLO-AM Montreal; Kootenay Co-op Radio’s CJLY-FM Nelson, BC; and Smithers Community Radio Society’s CICK-FM.
Find the full list of winners here:
Categories | Station ID | Submission Name | Winner name for award |
Volunteer of the Year | CKDU | CKDU | Ryan Somers aka R$ $mooth |
Community Engagement | CKVB (BayFM) | Tribute to Dave McHugh | BAYFM |
Local Talent Development | CFRC | CFRC | Staff and Volunteers |
Breaking Barriers | CFUV | Queer Histories and Futures | Matilde Cervantes and Nicola Watts |
Best in Podcasting | CJTM (Met Radio) | Mulberries | Yasaman Mansoori and Sean Warkentine |
Creative Production | CJSR-FM 88.5 | Taste of Edmonton 2024 | Monica Sweeney and Harmony Handsaeme |
Current Affairs or Magazine Show | CKDU | MidEast Mic Check | Spencer Osberg |
Documentary | CIVL | Opioid Documentary | Mike McCulloch |
Excellence in Sports Broadcasting | CKDU | Injury Reserve | Callum Watson and Ethan Hunt |
Excellence in Student Programming | CJTM (Met Radio) | Seance Halloween Episode (Special Programming) | Amber Ranson |
Neskie Manuel Award for Aboriginal Affairs and Culture Programming | CKDU | Right Deadly Radio Show | Randy Hamilton |
News | CIVL | News Update | Mike McCulloch |
“OUT LOUD” Best in LGBT+ Programming | CJTM (Met Radio) | Inside TMU’s first ever Kiki Ball | Kinza Zafar and Maya Fettes |
Syndicated Radio Show | CJLY (Kootenay Coop Radio) | Episode #134 “Celebrating Juneteenth and National Indigenous Peoples Day” | Julian Taylor’s Jukebox |
Third Language | CJLO 1690AM | A Gift From Exile | Camila Lewandowski |
Woman’s Hands and Voices | CJLO 1690AM | Women Aware Polytechnique Memorial Episode | Gigi Brown |
Music: Variety Program | CICK | Outside-In | Glen Ingram |
Music: Alternative or similar music | CFRC | Yellow Brit Road: An alternative take on subverting musical expectations! | Aarushi Mathur |
Music: Blues or similar music | CJPE-FM 99.3 | Sideroads – The Home of the Blues in Prince Edward County | Greg Hinde |
Music: Classical Century or similar music | CJLY (Kootenay Coop Radio) | Ravel’s Bolero | Doug Jamieson |
Music: Country or similar music | CJSW | Prairie Surfin’ | Jay Heule |
Music: Electronic or similar music | CFUR | Let’s Talk Music | Grace Hoksbergen |
Music: Jazz or similar music | CHMR | Jazz Pizzazz | Marcia Porter |
Music: Metal or similar music | CICK | Syrup Moose Radio Show | Brendan Barlow |
Music: Loud or similar music | CJTM (Met Radio) | More Noise Please – featuring special guest Knifehandchop | Jennifer Creagh aka DJ SuperJen |
Music: Pop or similar music | CJSR-FM 88.5 | Sunshine After Dark #200 “Jan 1979, Part 1” | John Huck |
Music: Punk or similar music | CJSW | The Future Language | Helen Young |
Music: Rap or similar music | CIVL | The BLOCK with Bryson Worden | Bryson Worden |
Music: R&B or similar music | CJSW | Breaking Techniques | Valerie Siu |
Music: Reggae or similar music | CJSW | Copacabana Connection | Eduardo Cardoso Abrão |
Music: Rock or similar music | CKDU | Crossroads | Stuart Cooper |
Music: Folk or similar music | CJTM (Met Radio) | Episode #147 Jali Journey – Gracious Turbulence | Kejo Buchanan |