2026 Community Radio Awards in Broadcast and Online Open to Public for First Time

The National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA/ANREC), which represents over 123 campus and community radio stations across Canada, is opening their annual CRABO Awards (Community Radio Awards in Broadcast and Online) to the public for the first time this year. Tickets are available now.

The 2026 CRABO Awards will celebrate the creativity, impact, and dedication of Canada’s non-profit, volunteer-driven radio sector, a national network rooted in local communities, independent voices, emerging artists, and public-access media. Taking place on Wednesday, May 6th, at the CBC Broadcasting Centre Atrium in Toronto, the ceremony will feature a selection of award presentations live, with representatives from winning stations in attendance.

Hosted by Shari Okeke, an award-winning journalist, podcast creator, and Assistant Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Journalism, the evening will include performances by emerging Toronto R&B artist Faiza and acclaimed musician, producer, and music director Mark James, whose credits include Jessie Reyez, Kardinal Offishall, and French Montana, among others.

Awards presented during the evening include:

Breaking Barriers
Creative Spoken Word
Excellence in Interview Storytelling
Music: Pop or Similar
Music: Blues or Similar
Music: Folk or Similar
Volunteer of the Year

The evening is presented as part of NCRC44 and Radiodays North America, a week-long gathering bringing together campus, community, and Indigenous broadcasters alongside national and international leaders in radio, podcasting, audio, and independent media.

The week includes conference programming, professional development sessions, networking events, station tours, podcast and producer summits, and sector celebrations designed to connect community media makers with the broader audio industry.

Barry Rooke, Executive Director of NCRA/ANREC, comments:

“NCRC44 is about bringing together the voices that define community media in Canada and beyond. Opening the CRABO Awards to the public this year is an exciting step toward sharing that impact more broadly.”

Founded in 1986, the NCRA/ANREC represents more than 123 campus, community, and Indigenous radio stations across Canada, supporting a national network of volunteer-driven, non-profit, public-access broadcasters. Through advocacy, sector development, training, and national programming initiatives, NCRA/ANREC works to strengthen community media and champion the local voices, independent artists, emerging journalists, and grassroots storytellers who help shape Canada’s audio landscape.