What is the NCRA?

The National Campus and Community Radio Association/L’Association nationale des radios étudiantes et communautaires (“NCRA/ANREC”) is a not-for-profit national association working to recognize, support, and encourage volunteer-based, non-profit, public-access campus, community and Indigenous radio broadcasters in Canada. We provide advice and advocacy for individual campus and community (“c/c”) stations, and conduct lobbying and policy development initiatives with a view to advancing the role and increasing the effectiveness of our sector. Our goals are to ensure stability and support for individual stations, and to promote the long-term growth and effectiveness of the sector.

The NCRA/ANREC currently (April 2023) has 125 member stations. Most of our members are located in English-speaking communities, and broadcast predominantly in English, but serve a diverse range of cultural, social and linguistic communities. We have several Native B and French-language or bilingual-licensed members, although most French-language c/c stations are members of either of the French community radio associations: l’Alliance des radios communautaires du Canada (“ARCC”) and l’Association des radiodiffuseurs communautaires du Québec (“ARCQ”).

Of our 125 members, approximately one-third are based on a campus, with two-thirds not based on campus. Some members are still in development, others are broadcasting online only and do not seek a Broadcasting License. Licensed stations in our sector vary widely: some are in tiny rural communities with no staff, a small group of volunteers, and budgets of less than $5,000; some are medium-sized with a few staff and budgets in the range of $150,000 to $350,000; and a few are in large urban areas with upwards of a dozen staff, 200 volunteers, and an annual budget of more than $500,000.

Find out more about becoming a member here.

*Note our Mission Vision and Values were updated and approved by membership in June of 2023

The Mission

● To advance campus, community and Indigenous radio in Canada, through advocacy, promotion,
and education.

The Vision

● To strengthen Canadian communities, amplify diverse voices and empower people to share their
perspectives.

The Values

● Equity, Diversity & Inclusion – Creating space for under-represented groups; Proactively seeking
out meaningful contributions from diverse voices; Ensuring access and support for all.
● Community – Collective groups of peoples and stations brought together by common interests;
Culture of service, volunteer contributions, and grassroots activities.
● Collaboration – Stronger together; Openness to working with others and seeking
mutually-beneficial opportunities; Networking and sharing between members.

Objectives of the NCRA (Archived but for reference as of June 2023)
From the NCRA/ANREC By-laws (By-law 1.09, 1986, unamended)

The objectives of the Corporation are as follows:
a. To hold a national conference at least once a year, set the annual program, and review past activities of the Corporation.
b. To coordinate and provide the necessary facilities for a national network of exchange of information and programming.
c. To support the practice of Canadian media arts, music and other relevant artistic disciplines.
d. To support public access to the airwaves, particularly for under-represented voices and alternative programming.
e. To collect, store, and make available a database of information about the history and operation of community radio in Canada and to make this information available to Members, interested organizations, and the general public, via printed or electronic means.
f. To offer consulting services for any group wishing to establish a new radio station under the government definition of “campus and community” radio.
g. To collect fees and Membership dues.
h. To acquire, rent or otherwise obtain property.
i. To raise or borrow funds in order to carry out the objectives of the Corporation.
j. To undertake any other activities consistent with the objectives of the Corporation which aim to expand and improve community radio in Canada.
k. To work with similar organizations and to represent Members in any and all international community radio-oriented matters.