The Weekly Briefing

CALL FOR SPONSORS: Broadcast Dialogue and CARTT.ca are proud to sponsor a 60+ year NAB Show tradition, The Great Canadian Suite, returning poolside at the Las Vegas Flamingo, Monday, April 15. The event brings together 500 Canadian decision-makers spanning the visual, audio, and production sectors, alongside service providers to the industry. Learn more here.

REVOLVING DOOR:

Steve Jones will assume the role of President of Stingray Radio as Ian Lurie transitions to serve as Executive Chairman. Set to take effect April 1, Lurie will step back from day-to-day operations to focus on developing and supporting the senior management team. Jones, who has most recently held the title of SVP, Brands and Content, will lead Stingray’s radio corporate teams, general managers and directors across the country as he assumes responsibility for all aspects of the business. Steve Parsons will be promoted to VP of Programming, while retaining his role as General Manager of the Toronto operation. Parsons will oversee brands, content, and overall programming strategy for Stingray’s 101 stations across the country. Andy Boyd, currently VP of Finance, will be promoted to Chief Financial Officer and Jane Krindle to Senior Director of HR, while Ryan Shortt is upped to Senior Director of Digital. Mark Russett is also raised to Senior Director of Sales for Ontario and will continue to lead Ottawa operations. Read more here.

Frédéric Perron has been appointed President and CEO of Cogeco and Cogeco Communications, succeeding the retiring Philippe Jetté. Perron moves up from the position of president of Cogeco Connexion, Cogeco’s Canadian broadband business. The company says the appointment follows a board-led succession planning process with Jetté continuing to serve as a strategic advisor through the end of August. Perron has been with Cogeco since 2020, bringing a background that includes leading T-Mobile’s consumer business in Poland, executive roles at Vodafone in the UK and the Czech Republic, and serving as SVP, Customer Management and Loyalty at Rogers Communications. Read more here.

Serge Blumenfeld has assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at ZoomerMedia, following the departure of Terence Chan who has resigned to pursue other opportunities. Blumenfeld arrives from UK financial services provider Willis Towers Watson where he was most recently Director of Finance, Global Financial Business Operations. Prior to that, he served as a business analyst at Rogers Communications, among other companies.

Pattison Media has laid off about three per cent of its workforce, encompassing on-air and behind-the-scenes talent in Vancouver, Calgary, and Winnipeg, among other markets. Casualties include Christy & Fraser (Christy Farrell and Fraser Tuff), who initially were heard on Wild 95.3 (CKWD-FM) and 101.5 Today Radio in Calgary, before moving to Vancouver to help launch NOW! radio (CKPK-FM) in that market; Denai Johnson, afternoon drive announcer on NOW! Vancouver; and AJ (Ashley) Pirhonen, the afternoon host at 89.5 JR FM (CHWK-FM) Chilliwack. Alyssa Petryshyn and Luca James have also disappeared from afternoon drive on 94.3 NOW! radio (CHNW-FM) in Winnipeg, in addition to Matt Di Paola, afternoon drive co-host and music director at Wild 95.3 Calgary. Company president Rod Schween told employees that a slow to rebound post-pandemic national advertising climate and challenging ratings are behind the staff cuts. Read more here.

Doug Loepp has moved into  the role of Group Creative Lead at Pattison Media, directing Creative teams across four Western provinces. With Pattison Media Kelowna since 2003, Loepp most recently held the title of Creative & Production Director of Non-Metro Markets over the last three years. 

Joe Thistel is retiring after more than 40 years in broadcasting. Thistel started his career in 1981 at CFOR Orillia and the Telemedia Sports Network as a creative director and producer. He went on to work with Telemedia for the next two decades, including CJCL 1430, producing and engineering home and away Toronto Blue Jays games, and operating Toronto Maple Leafs broadcasts. He went on to consult on the launch of The FAN 1430 (later FAN 590). Among other career highlights, he served as National Director of Marketing for The Team Radio Network. Thistel was the first programming hire at XM Satellite Radio Canada in 2005, serving as Director, Sports and Talk Programming. He went on to hold the role of Director, Talk Programming for SiriusXM Canada for more than a decade.

Simon Ostler has announced that he’s parted ways with Global News Toronto. Ostler had been with Global Toronto since 2015, holding roles including Supervising Producer, Managing Editor and most recently Executive Producer, overseeing Global News Morning and Global News at 5:30.

Melanie Ng is returning to Citytv Toronto as the midday host of CityNews 24/7. Ng left the morning show a year and a half ago to spend more time with her family after a 12-year run with Citytv as a reporter and anchor.

James Gardner has retired from CFAX 1070 Victoria. Gardner, one of the first broadcasters to transition on-air in 2012, started his run with the station two years earlier as “Sheila Gardner.” His 40+ year broadcasting career started in Wetaskiwin, outside Edmonton, leading to on-air roles at CJCA, KIRK FM, and CFRN, before Gardner relocated to Vancouver in 1987, where he worked with KISS FM, CKWX and CKNW.

Bob Willette is no longer Program Manager for Corus Radio Kingston, following a realignment of Corus’ FM radio leadership. Willette, who had been in the position since 2019, was named Program Director of the Year (Medium Market) in the 2022 Canadian Radio Awards and was a runner-up in 2023.

Morganne Campbell has parted ways with Corus Entertainment after more than 14 years with the company. Campbell had been a Digital Broadcast Journalist with Global Toronto for the past six years. Prior to that she worked as a videographer with Global Kingston and Peterborough and did a stint as a part-time announcer with 101.5 The Wolf (CKWF-FM) and the former 100.5 KRUZ FM (CKRU-FM).

Jeff Storey is now Retail Sales Manager for Evanov Communications’ Toronto cluster, leading efforts for Z103.5 (CIDC-FM), Hot Country 88.5 (CKDX-FM), and CHLO AM 530. Storey was previously with Corus Entertainment for 21 years, starting as a news and program director and going on to hold roles including Senior Manager of Business Operations and Regional Director, based in Hamilton.

Melinda Baker, who previously held the position of General Sales Manager for Evanov Communications in Toronto, has been appointed Manager of Research and Analytics. In the newly-created position, Baker will support both Sales and Programming Management company-wide to develop effective strategies, campaigns, and results. Prior to joining Evanov in 2022, Baker held sales management roles with Nielsen and Cape Cod Broadcasting in Massachusetts.

Hubie von Wutheneau has crossed the street from Corus Entertainment to Rogers Sports & Media London. von Wutheneau had been an account manager with Corus for the past year. He was previously in sales with Bell Media in the market for 17 years.

Jeff Holland is now being heard in afternoons on JACK 96.9 (CJAQ-FM) Calgary, in addition to KiSS (CHBN-FM) Edmonton. Holland was previously heard in the Calgary market on Pattison Media’s 101.5 Kool FM, prior to joining Rogers Sports & Media in 2018.

Courtney Rae Shutter has moved from middays to mornings on 106.1 The Goat (CKLM-FM) Lloydminster. With the station for the past two and a half years, Shutter previously co-hosted mornings on Kraze 101.3 (CKIK-FM) Red Deer.

Nina Sturm has joined The Podcast Exchange (TPX) as Senior Client Partner. Prior to joining TPX, Nina held the position of Head of TV and Digital Partnerships at the Canadian Traffic Network (CTN). She’s also worked as an account executive with Torstar, Rogers Sports & Media and Metroland Media.

Brian Hetherman of Toronto’s Cerberus Management & Consulting has been hired by Canadian Music Week (CMW) to handle international programming for this year’s conference, June 3-5. Hetherman, who continues to operate his labels, Curve Music and Sonic Envy, will work alongside CMW president Neill Dixon and the CMW team, to bring top names and topics to the music industry conference.

RADIO & PODCAST:

Numeris insights for winter 2024 include that AM/FM streaming increased by five percentage points in the Montreal Anglo market. Live radio streaming maintained a 10% share of tuning, A12+ and 18-34, and 12% A25-54. According to the latest PPM data, Numeris says Montreal and Toronto saw a rise in out-of-home (OOH) tuning, notably with French-speaking listeners in Montreal which saw a bump from 57 to 64%. The Vancouver market saw the biggest drop in OOH listening, falling from 74 to 69%. Radio’s average weekly reach in the PPM markets remains stable at 84%, with Montreal Franco leading listening at 90%, followed by Edmonton (86%) and Calgary (84%).

Country Music Alberta has handed out its 13th annual awards. Vista Radio’s 96.5 CKFM (CKLJ-FM) Olds was named Radio Station of the Year (Small/Medium Market), while Stingray’s 840 CFCW Edmonton captured the Large Market category. Find the full list of winners here.

The Women In Media Network, a new home for women and gender-diverse podcasters, launched last week. Helmed by podcaster, radio producer and media personality Sarah Burke, the network debuts with eight podcasts, including The Jann Arden Podcast (which moves over from Orbyt Media); Trust Me, I’m A Decorator with television personalities Debbie Travis and Tommy Smythe; The SpicyFat Podcast with psychotherapist, sexologist, and author Carlen Consta; More Money Podcast with financial counsellor Jessica Moorhouse; Ladies Take Control with best-selling author and international speaker Katie Mares; Beyond the Sale with Revel Realty’s head coach and broker Cynthia Ostos; The Powerhouse Project with the president of RSG International, Lisa Laronde; and The Women In Media Podcast, hosted by Burke. She’s a guest on both  Broadcast Dialogue – The Podcast and the Sound Off Podcast this week, with Matt Cundill acting as an advisor to the new network.

SIGN OFFS:

Eleanor Collins (née Procter), 104, on March 3. Known as Canada’s “first lady of jazz,” Collins was the first Canadian woman and first Black entertainer in Canada to have her own national television show, “The Eleanor Show” on CBC TV. Born and raised in Edmonton, she was a natural talent, starting her career singing with a dance band in Edmonton and on CFRN radio. She moved to Vancouver in the late 1930s, going on to sing from 1940-42 on CBC Radio with the gospel group Swing Low Quartet, which included her sisters Ruby Sneed and Pearl Brown. A long association with the CBC followed, which included performances on “Serenade in Rhythm,” broadcast to troops overseas. She made her television debut on CBC Vancouver variety show “Bamboula: A Day in the West Indies,” the first Canadian series with a mixed-race cast and the first live music television show to be broadcast from the West Coast. The Eleanor Show debuted in 1955, with Collins appearing on numerous other TV and radio shows through the 1950s and 1960s, including as a frequent guest on the popular “Juliette” show and “Quintet” with the Chris Gage Trio. From 1963-64, she was a regular on CTV’s “Network.” Her second TV show, “Eleanor” aired in the spring of 1964, featuring show tunes, standard pop songs and contemporary hits. Collins was a Member of the Order of Canada and an inductee of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame. Canada Post released a commemorative stamp in her honour in 2022.

John Newsome Gibson, 98, on March 2. Raised on a farm in rural Manitoba, Gibson started his working life at Standard Aero Engine in the Accessories Overhaul Department, before joining Winnipeg’s CKY Radio which became a career defining moment. Gibson went on to become part of the engineering team that helped launch CBC TV (CBWT) Winnipeg in 1954 out of the public broadcaster’s new 50,000 sq. ft. facility at 541 Portage Avenue. He eventually ascended to the role of Director of Technical Operations. He retired in 1983 from the Regional Engineering Department where his attentions were largely focused on studio design.

TV & FILM:

The 96th Oscars drew a Canadian audience of 4.5 million viewers Sunday night, a four per cent increase over last year’s broadcast, according to viewer data released by Bell Media. An average audience of 3.5 million tuned into the awards show on CTV, with one in two English-language Canadians watching at least part of the broadcast, which delivered a 50% share for English Canada. The audience peaked at 10:19 p.m. ET leading into Oppenheimer’s win for Best Picture. Bell Media says this year’s broadcast marks the third consecutive year of audience growth for the awards show, which also saw double-digit growth in the key A25-54 demographic, up 12% year-over-year. Read more here.

Ben Proudfoot has won his second Oscar in three years for The Last Repair Shop, which picked up Best Documentary Short at the Academy Awards on Sunday night. The Nova Scotia-born filmmaker and his fellow director Kris Bowers showcased the team of people who keep 80,000 musical instruments in working order for Los Angeles public school students. Proudfoot and Bowers received an earlier nomination three years ago for A Concerto Is a Conversation. Proudfoot went on to win the Oscar in 2022 for his short doc The Queen of Basketball, about the late Lucy Harris, the first and only woman officially drafted into the NBA.

ACTRA Toronto has announced the nominees for the Members’ Choice Series Ensemble Award and the Stunt Ensemble Award to be handed out April 22 at the 22nd annual ACTRA Awards. Series Ensemble Award nominees include: Murdoch Mysteries (Shaftesbury Films); Pink Is In! (Pink One Productions); Pretty Hard Cases (Cameron Pictures, CBC, Universal International Studios); Run the Burbs (Pier 21 Films); and Sort Of (Sienna Films, Sphere Media, Canada Media Fund, HBO Max). Stunt Ensemble nominees include: The Hardy Boys, “The Crash” (Lambur Productions, Nelvana, Corus); The Marsh King’s Daughter (Black Bear Pictures, Anonymous Content); Pretty Hard Cases, “Always a Bridesmaid” (Cameron Pictures); and Rabbit Hole for “Pilot” and Rabbit Hole, “At Any Given Moment” (CBS Studios, Entertainment 360, Zaftig Films). 

The WGC Screenwriting Awards have announced this year’s finalists. In contention for the 2024 awards are scripts from Children Ruin Everything (Kurt Smeaton, Jessica Meya, Kathleen Phillips, Anita Kapila), Pinecone and Pony (Tally Yong Knoll, Lienne Sawatsky, Corey Liu), Murdoch Mysteries (Simon McNabb), Bones of Crows (Marie Clements), Builder Brothers’ Dream Factory (Desmond Sargeant, Sonya Ballantyne), Little Bird (Zoe Hopkins), and Suze (Linsey Stewart & Dane Clark), among others. Find the complete list of finalists here. The 28th annual WGC Screenwriting Awards ceremony takes place May 13.

The Ottawa Film Office (OFO) has announced an important milestone in the development of the Capital Region’s first purpose-built soundstage. A Request for Expression of Interest (RFEOI) has been published to obtain feedback on the project and help identify potential partners. Submissions are being accepted until April 5 via Merx. Film commissioner Sandrine Pechels de Saint Sardos says despite global challenges in 2023, the city successfully completed over 40 productions, with 2024 projected to be a record year.

Quebec Min. of Finance Éric Girard has tabled the province’s 2024-25 budget, which includes improvements to the province’s refundable tax credit for film and television productions. The budget announced an increase in the limit of eligible production costs, from 50 to 65%. The budget also proposes enhancements to the existing tax credit for foreign film production in Quebec, including an increase to the basic tax credit rate from 20 to 25%.

The Canada Media Fund (CMF) has published its first Demographic Report, with data collected from individuals who self-reported through CMF’s PERSONA-ID system in 2022-23. Among its key findings are that Indigenous representation, those identifying as First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, made up a combined 7% of all reported key roles, and 6% of Ownership shares in linear programs; Racialized Communities accounted for the largest proportion of Diverse Community Key Roles at 18% overall for linear programs, while almost half of all Key Roles in interactive identified with one or more Diverse communities; the inclusion of individuals identifying as 2SLGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities in Key Roles stands at 8% and 4%, respectively in linear programs, but is much higher in interactive programs at 20% and 10%, respectively.

Hot Docs has issued an urgent appeal for support saying that “like many not-for-profit arts organizations, pandemic closures severely disrupted Hot Docs operations and its impacts are still being felt.” The organization says it’s currently facing a significant operational deficit that threatens its long-term sustainability. Even with those challenges, Hot Docs says it is on track to deliver this year’s festival, April 25 to May 5, and has released its Special Presentations documentary features lineup.

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) has announced year three of the Executive Residency Program, an initiative aimed at granting executive-level access to industry professionals who are Black, Indigenous, or persons of colour, to break down barriers for the next generation of creative executives and business leaders. Applications for the third cohort will be accepted until April 11, here. 

CTV has announced that Season 2 of original drama Sullivan’s Crossing will premiere Sunday, April 14 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The series then moves to its regular Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT timeslot beginning April 21. From the team behind Virgin River, and adapted by executive producer and showrunner Roma Roth from the bestselling novels by Robyn Carr, the series stars Morgan Kohan (When Hope Calls), alongside Chad Michael Murray (One Tree Hill), and Scott Patterson (Gilmore Girls). Filmed in Nova Scotia, Season 2 consists of 10, one-hour episodes.

CTV Life Channel original series, Evolving Vegan, returns for its second season beginning April 16 with new episodes airing Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET and streaming on Crave. Recently nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Host, Lifestyle for Season 1, Mena Massoud explores the plant-based food scenes of Philadelphia, Montréal, Miami, Las Vegas, New Orleans, and Tokyo in six new hour-long episodes.

Super Channel Heart and Home will premiere Season 11 of When Calls the Heart on Sunday, April 7. New episodes will be available on Super Channel On Demand the following day. Until then, When Calls the Heart season marathons will be available each day of each weekend leading up to the Season 11 premiere, which is airing simultaneously on Hallmark Channel in the U.S., featuring 12 new episodes of the B.C.-filmed series.

Scholastic has signed a definitive agreement to invest in 9 Story Media Group. Under the terms of the agreement, Scholastic will acquire 100% of the economic interests and a minority of voting rights in 9 Story for approximately USD $186 million. Scholastic says the strategic investment significantly expands its opportunities to leverage its brand, publishing and global children’s franchises across print, screens and merchandising. Scholastic’s media development and production division and 9 Story have long collaborated on projects including the animated reboot of Clifford the Big Red Dog on PBS Kids and Amazon Prime Video and Eva the Owlet on Apple TV+. 

Sinking Ship Entertainment (SSE) has announced three new deals for the PBS KIDS animated series Alma’s Way. TFI in France, TFO in French Canada, and ONCE/ONCE Niñas y Niños in Mexico have all bought the series. Created by Sesame Street alum Sonia Manzano and produced by Fred Rogers Productions in association with Pipeline Studios, the series has received two Emmy Award nominations, in addition to nominations for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Children’s Program, and was selected as a finalist for the Prix Jeunesse International 2024.

Banijay Rights is launching a Highway Thru Hell-branded FAST channel that will feature the first 10 seasons of the long-running docuseries from producer Great Pacific Media, along with all seven seasons of Heavy Rescue: 401. The channel will begin rolling out in the UK on March 13, with an April 17 launch in Australia to follow. Confirmed platforms in the UK include Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee, Plex, and Samsung TV Plus in Australia. Highway Thru Hell debuted on Bell Media’s Discovery in 2012 and is now available on platforms across 180 territories and in production for a 13th season that will see it mark 204 episodes. Heavy Rescue: 401 just finished a seven-season run and has viewers in close to 200 territories.

Stingray has launched new channels on Samsung TV Plus, Samsung’s free ad-supported streaming TV and video-on-demand service. For Canadian audiences, Stingray’s lineup includes Qello Concerts, featuring full-length concert films and documentaries; Classic Rock; Smooth Jazz and Flashback. The collection is set to expand on March 13 with the introduction of Stingray DJAZZ, Stingray Classica, Nothin’ But 90s, Easy Listening, Hip Hop, Today’s K-Pop, and Hot Country.

ONLINE & DIGITAL MEDIA:

SaltWire Network, Atlantic Canada’s largest media publisher – including operating major daily newspapers The Chronicle Herald in Halifax, Cape Breton Post, The Guardian in Charlottetown, and The Telegram in St. John’s, NL, in addition to SaltWire.com – is being driven to insolvency by its main creditor, Fiera Private Debt Fund. Court documents show Saltwire has filed for creditor protection with a debt load of more than $94 million, almost $33 million of that owed to Fiera, in addition to $7 million due the Canada Revenue Agency in unpaid HST remittance and $2.6 million to its employee pension fund. Saltwire employs about 490 staff and 840 contractors, including about 100 reporters. 

Media Technology Monitor (MTM) has released its Fall 2023 Sneak Peek Report which offers a glimpse into the shifting dynamics of Canadian media consumption. Some of its insights include that 40% of Canadians have engaged with online ads, the majority proceeding to make a purchase after viewing them. Notably, racialized Canadians and immigrants exhibit even higher rates of purchase conversion. The report also notes a gradual decline in SVOD subscriptions over the past year, attributed to escalating costs, crackdowns on account sharing, and content saturation leading to “Netflix fatigue.” As SVOD platforms explore ad integration to offset costs, Crave subscribers report the highest exposure to ads, followed by Netflix and Disney+ subscribers. Despite the prevalence of SVOD services, MTM says two-thirds of Canadians continue to subscribe to traditional TV services with news and sports content cited as the top two reasons.

REGULATORY, TELECOM & MEDIA:

The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) has determined that a Kamloops, BC talk show host was entitled to express his opinion on the Israel-Palestine conflict during an interview last October. During the segment on NL Newsday with Brett Mineer on CHNL, a representative from a local mosque was invited to discuss the conflict in the Middle East as many members of the community have family in Gaza. The conversation then shifted, with the host and guest disagreeing over the use of terminology like “war,” “genocide,” and “terrorist group” when referring to Hamas. The conversation was eventually ended by Mineer over disagreement about how the events of Oct. 7, in which Israeli civilians were allegedly beheaded by the organization, had taken place. The CBSC received over 100 complaints about the broadcast, many alleging the segment had been discriminatory towards the guest, and Palestinians in general, by implying that they supported terrorism, in addition to expressing disappointment that the host cut off the guest before she could fully clarify her points. Read more here.

The CRTC is launching a public consultation to gather views on the regulatory framework for the Online News Act (formerly Bill C-18). The consultation follows the Dec. 15 publication of regulations by the Department of Canadian Heritage on the application of the Act, intended to help Canadian news organizations reach fair commercial agreements with the largest online platforms. The CRTC is consulting on how to set up the bargaining process and handle complaints about unfair treatment. Comments will be accepted until April 12.

Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) has filed an application with the CRTC requesting that the regulator hike the rate broadcasters pay to carry its programming temporarily until the next licence renewal period in August 2026. While the channel has mandatory carriage, AMI said in its application that it cannot sustain its operations until the next renewal period – even after restructuring its business. It’s seeking one and two cent increases, respectively, per subscriber per month for AMI-tv and AMI-tele, until August 2026, on top of the current rates of 20 and 28 cents. AMI expects those rate increases to generate approximately $1.33 million and $1.29 million, respectively, in the two years leading up to the licence renewal.

Women in Communications and Technology (WCT) has announced the recipients of their annual Leadership Excellence Awards, which recognize people and organizations committed to equity and diversity in Canada’s digital economy. This year’s recipients include Company of the Year winner, Cogeco; Rising Star recipient Shantay Parson, Digital Project Manager, Corus; and Trailblazer honouree: Sharon Hinds, Manager, ALL IN, Rogers Sports and Media. Find the full list of winners here. They’ll be recognized at the WCT Annual Awards Gala on April 29 in Toronto.

The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) has announced the six inaugural recipients of the CJF-Narcity News Creator Fellowships offered in partnership with Narcity Media Group. The first recipients of the six-week paid fellowships, open to recent grads of Canadian post-secondary journalism programs, are: Jessica Barile of Montreal; Corinne Boyer of Montreal; Rachel Ruth Pabiona Guanlao of Toronto; Brahim Ait Ouzineb of Ottawa; Tharsha Ravichakaravarthy of Toronto; and Amber Sandhu of Vancouver. Supported by YouTube Canada and the Google News Initiative, fellows will receive training and mentorship from Narcity editors and journalists, focusing on the creation of local news videos for publication on the creator’s social channels as well as Narcity platforms. 

The Delegation of the European Union to Canada and the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) has opened submissions for the 2024 edition of the European Union-Canada Young Journalist Fellowship. The fellowship recognizes outstanding journalistic talent with three candidates selected every year to participate in a week-long study tour to experience the EU institutions, the Canadian Mission to the EU, and media outlets in Brussels. The deadline to apply is May 6.

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To sign off in my traditional language for the first time last night was a gift. Thank you for all the kind words of support! Come join me tonight at 10 on @CHEK_News #Indigenous #Anchoring #FirstNations #YYJ #VI #Journalism #Reporter pic.twitter.com/UReyH47bco

— Tchadas Leo (@TchadasLeoCHEK) February 17, 2024

CHEK News journalist Tchadas Leo’s sign off in Ayajuthem, the traditional Indigenous language of the northernmost Salish First Nations of the Homalco, Klahoose, Sliammon (Tla’amin) and K’omoks, following his first time anchoring on Feb. 15 has gone viral, securing more than 22-thousand impressions on X alone. A member of the Hamalko First Nation, Leo is believed to be the first Coast Salish journalist to anchor a news program on Coast Salish territory. Leo, 33, has been with the independent Victoria station since late 2020 and the launch of award-winning CHEK podcast Our Native Land, which explores all things Indigenous and First Nations on Vancouver Island.