Originally published in the March 20, 2025 edition of The Weekly Briefing

Steven Guilbeault has been reassigned as Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity, and Parks Canada, in addition to serving as new Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Quebec Lieutenant, as the newly-named Liberal leader forms his first cabinet. Guilbeault, who most recently helmed the Environment portfolio, previously served as Canadian Heritage Minister from Nov. 2019 to Oct. 2021. Quebec MP Pascale St-Onge, who is not reoffering in the coming federal election, had served as Canadian Heritage minister since July 2023. François-Philippe Champagne has been promoted to Minister of Finance, with Anita Anand assuming his former post as Innovation, Science and Industry Minister. Read more here.

Dina Pugliese has made her return to Citytv’s Breakfast Television (BT) after a two-year break from morning TV. Pugliese, who previously ended a 16-year run with the show in February 2023, has been named co-host and co-executive producer. She returns following the network’s release of Sid Seixeiro and Meredith Shaw last month, joined by co-host Tim Bolen, who has been a host and anchor on the morning show on Hamilton’s CHCH-TV for the past 13 years. Read more here.

Arash Madani has parted ways with Rogers Sports & Media’s Sportsnet after 16 years. Madani, arguably best known for his time as the Toronto Blue Jays on field reporter, revealed in a post to social media last week that his time as a national reporter with the network had come to an end, writing that it had been “a thrilling ride” covering everything from Super Bowls to NBA Finals, Wimbledon, The Masters, Olympic Games, and more. Prior to joining Sportsnet in 2009, Madani worked as a reporter for The Score and did a turn as an anchor and reporter for A-Channel Ottawa. Read more here.

Robert Turner has been promoted to Program Director of Newstalk 1010 (CFRB-AM) Toronto. Turner was previously named APD in 2022. With the station for the last 27 years, he’s held roles including hosting The Early Edition news, traffic, weather and sports update to serving as Chief Operator. 

I am going to be filling in for @gregbradyTO for the next few weeks mornings on @am640. Very excited to join the team. pic.twitter.com/fD1sO7v0r9

— Kevin Frankish (@KevinFrankish) March 18, 2025

Kevin Frankish has taken over the morning time slot on AM 640 (CFIQ-AM) Toronto, as host Greg Brady pursues the federal Conservative nomination in his hometown of Ajax, ON. Brady has hosted Toronto Today since 2019, with previous stints in morning drive at Sportsnet 590 The Fan (CJCL-AM) and WDFN Detroit. Frankish, who is best known for his 27 years at Citytv’s Breakfast Television, has more recently been heard in afternoon drive on 105.9 The Region (CFMS-FM) Markham, in addition to doing communications work for Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences in Whitby. Read more here.

Ryan Gosse has joined Evanov Comunicatons’ Hot Country 88.5 (CKDX-FM) Toronto/Newmarket and Hot Country 93.9 (CFWC-FM) Brantford in afternoon drive. Gosse, who’ll be heard from 2 – 6 p.m. ET, arrives at Evanov with eight years of experience in the Kitchener market at Rogers Sports & Media’s Country 106.7 (CIKZ-FM). Gosse has also been heard, alongside Adele Newton, in various dayparts on Rogers stations like KiSS 92.5 (CKIS-FM) Toronto and Kitchener’s CHYM 96.7.

Ken Hashizume has rejoined MBC (My Broadcasting Corporation) in its CFLY-FM and CKLC-FM Kingston newsroom. Hashizume was formerly the News Director for Corus Entertainment’s 1460 CJOY Guelph, up until last November. He previously anchored morning news on a number of MBC stations from 2019-21, based out of Kincardine.

Yann Paquet has been appointed President & CEO of TV5 Québec Canada, effective April 14. Paquet will succeed Marie-Philippe Bouchard, the new President of CBC/Radio-Canada, at  the helm of the not-for-profit, which includes French-language specialty channels TV5 and Unis TV, as well as the TV5Unis platform. Paquet most recently held the position of Vice-President at Quebecor Content, where he oversaw foreign television program acquisitions and the financing of productions aired on TVA Group’s networks and Videotron’s platforms. He also contributed to the development of Quebec cinema and international distribution, while managing the illico+ platform and the TVA Films and Incendo divisions. He started his career as a journalist at Radio-Canada, where he ascended to the role of Senior Director, New Media.

Abigail Turner has announced she’s leaving CTV News Vancouver, where she’s been a videojournalist since 2022. Prior to joining CTV, Turner was a VJ with Global Winnipeg.

Mary Vallis Cowan is the new Editor-in-Chief of Yahoo News Canada. Cowan arrives from CBC News, where she’s been a senior writer and editor since 2017. Prior to CBC, she was an editor at the Toronto Star and National Post. She’s also a prof and program coordinator in the Centennial College Journalism program.

Amanda Wawryk has taken on an expanded role at ZoomerMedia as Director of Editorial for Daily Hive, BlogTO, Curiocity, and MobileSyrup. The former News 1130 (CKWX-AM) Vancouver anchor has been with Daily Hive since 2021, most recently as Editor-in-Chief.

Kim Honey has joined The Conversation Canada as editor-in-chief and CEO. Honey arrives from a six-year run with Zoomer Magazine, where she was most recently Executive Editor. She’s also held editorial roles with Maclean’s, the Toronto Star, and Frank Magazine.

Matt Weeks has joined the Lead Podcasting team as a video editor. Weeks is a former CHCH-TV Hamilton ENG camera operator and editor. He’s also worked with CP24, CBC, Sportsnet, OMNI, and CityNews.

Caroline Favory is joining The Podcast Exchange (TPX) as an Account Manager, primarily servicing brands and agencies in Alberta and B.C. Based in Vancouver, Favory has a background in media planning and strategy, working with companies like Noise Digital and ICUC.

Aurée Lepage has been appointed Montreal-based MELS’ Director of International Business Development in Los Angeles. The TVA Group-owned studio and post-production provider, says the strategic addition to its team will enhance MELS’ international position as a key destination for film production and strengthen its reputation with major studios. With nearly 30 years of experience in the film industry, Lepage has worked on productions like Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator, Roland Emmerich’s The Day After Tomorrow, Steven Spielberg’s The Terminal, and Denis Villeneuve’s Maelstrom. Based in L.A. for the past few years, she’s been promoting Quebec to key industry players as the representative of the Quebec Film and Television Council (QFTC). 

Jason Kenney, former Alberta premier and MP for Calgary Southeast, has joined the Postmedia Network Board of Directors, alongside Terrie O’Leary, who most recently served as Executive Vice-President of Business Strategy & Operations at Toronto Global. Their appointments, effective immediately, follow the Vince Gasparro and Daniel Rotstein’s decision to not stand for re-election.