Local journalism matters. Canadians deserve answers.

Local journalism matters. Canadians deserve answers. Waterloo Region lost an essential platform for local journalism yesterday when Rogers abruptly ended broadcasting at 570 NewsRadio. My thoughts are with the employees and their families who are directly affected. This move also raises immediate concerns about the future of Kitchener Rangers radio coverage and whether those broadcasts will find a new home. Rogers Communications continues to benefit from substantial federal support, including: - Millions in taxpayer-funded programs intended to protect jobs and sustain local journalism; - A telecom environment shaped by federal policy that limits competition and shields major players from new market entrants. Despite these advantages, and despite commitments to preserve local media, Rogers has chosen to close stations anyway. This underscores how the current federal government’s strategy for safeguarding local news and employment is simply not working. After approving the Rogers-Shaw merger, Former Industry Minister and now Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne promised to ‘watch Rogers like a hawk,’ insisting the merger would benefit consumers. Yet here in Kitchener, workers have lost their jobs and residents have lost a vital source of community news. Conservatives stand for protecting jobs, ensuring fair treatment for consumers and taxpayers, and strengthening local journalism. Canadians deserve more opportunities to have their stories told, not fewer. Local journalism is instrumental in a healthy democratic society. The current federal government must explain how its extensive support for Rogers is serving Canadians.