Originally published in the Nov. 27, 2025 edition of The Weekly Briefing
John Oakley is signing off from 640 Toronto (CFIQ-AM), concluding a 46-year career. His final broadcast of The John Oakley Show, which has been heard in afternoon drive from 3 – 6 p.m. ET, will air Nov. 28. Oakley has been with 640 for more than two decades. After a summer hosting on University of Waterloo campus station, Radio Waterloo (CKMS-FM), Oakley started his career in 1980 on the overnight show at Orillia’s CFOR. He went on to join CJCL Toronto as a host, and then Montreal stations CJAD and CFCF. He landed at CFRB (Now Newstalk 1010) Toronto in 1991, moving over to AM 640 in 2003, anchoring mornings for 13 years and later hosting afternoons. Read more here.
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Jay Richardson has crossed the street from Corus Entertainment’s Power 97 (CJKR-FM) Winnipeg to join Pattison Media’s ALT 94.3 (CHNW-FM). Richardson had been with Power 97 for the last six and a half years and heard in mornings since 2023. He joins ALT 94.3 as music director and is set to occupy the afternoon drive time slot, starting in mid-December, at which time Aaron Penman will move to evenings. Read more here.
Emily Szabo, network midday host on Rogers Sports & Media’s Country branded stations, is stepping away from radio to focus on her family. Szabo, whose show originated from Country 106.7 (CIKZ-FM) Kitchener, had been with the station the last five years.
Luana Ann Church has been appointed Vice President, Development, Acquisitions & Distribution at Quebecor. She’ll be responsible for content acquisition and distribution, as well as international development for Quebecor Content, Incendo and TVA Films. Since joining the company in 2011, Church has served as Senior Legal Director with Quebecor’s Legal Affairs department, primarily responsible for files relating to intellectual property and international content partnerships. She succeeds Yann Paquet, who announced his departure in the spring.
FYI, a life update. I’m getting my (second) hip replaced next week and I’ll be off your TVs for a couple months! I’ll be extra annoying here, if that’s even possible. You can keep up with what’s going on through Instagram, if you want – https://t.co/JkrgbEn6xO pic.twitter.com/g57bvmyD60
— Faizal Khamisa (@FaizalKhamisa) November 19, 2025
Faizal Khamisa is on leave from Sportsnet recovering from a hip replacement, his second. The anchor expects to be off for a couple of months.
Lindsay Dunn is leaving her role at CityNews after eight years. Dunn, who had primarily contributed as a sports and music reporter, will continue as a sideline reporter for Raptors 905, in addition to co-hosting The Nation Network baseball podcast, 6ix Inning Stretch.
Richard Zussman, who left Global BC earlier in November, has joined global PR firm, Burson, as Vice President, Public Affairs, British Columbia. Zussman had been a Legislative Reporter with Global BC since 2018.
JP Wright has joined Creative Display Technologies (CDT) as a Partner, leading the Ontario-based Out-Of-Home (OOH) advertising provider’s expansion across Western Canada. Wright was previously with Bell Media for 37 years, most recently as Director of Local Sales for Canada.
Jasmyn Rowley has been promoted to the role of Chief Marketing Officer at Village Media. Rowley had previously served as Director of Marketing & Communications since 2013.
Kadon Douglas has been named the inaugural Executive Director of OYA Black Arts Coalition, the not-for-profit dedicated to training and mentorship for Black creatives. Douglas previously held the same role at BIPOC TV & Film and is a past Chair of the Board of Directors of Reelworld Film Festival.
Jasmina Vignjević has been promoted to Head of Sales & Acquisitions for Verità Films, Syndicado Film Sales’ newly-rebranded banner. Vignjević, who has been with the company since 2016, previously oversaw the Toronto sales and production company’s festival strategy and relations.
Jeff Woods is set to undergo surgery for prostate cancer on Dec. 5. A GoFundMe campaign set up for the longtime broadcaster, podcaster and programmer has raised more than $29,000 toward a goal of $33,000, covering the cost of the procedure and downtime.
