Burlington Library leaders speaking about democracy on the CBC this evening

By Staff

April 24th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

Burlington Public Library leaders are speaking out about the role of libraries in democracy as part of a new CBC series, Ideas for a Better Canada.

The episode airs on CBC News Network and CBC Gem today, April 24, and focuses on intellectual freedom. The series is hosted by journalist and bestselling author Nahlah Ayed. In it, she interviews guests from across the country about the health of our democracy and local solutions that can inspire national change.

“Burlington Public Library was honoured to be one of four stops in this cross-Canada series on the future of our democracy,” says Lita Barrie, CEO, Burlington Public Library. “In our increasingly polarized society, there’s a unique role for the Library to protect our freedom to read and bring together people and ideas to build community.”

A capacity crowd took part in the recording of a CBC IDEAS production on democracy in Canada and how it is practiced at libraries across the country.

In the Burlington episode, Barrie and Director of Service Design and Innovation Meg Uttangi Matsos speak about how the Library supports your freedom to read by providing uncensored access to information and resources. The episode also features Ira Wells, journalist, academic, and author of On Book Banning, to discuss the rise of book bans and challenges across North America.

“The freedom to choose what information you access and form your own ideas and opinions is crucial to democracy,” says Barrie. “When members of the community can discover and explore a breadth of topics and perspectives, civic engagement thrives. It’s our responsibility as a Library to uphold that access.”

The episode was recorded at BPL’s Central Branch last month, live in front of an audience of more than 100 community members. The series is produced in partnership with the Samara Centre for Democracy. It can be listened to for free on CBC Radio or watched on CBC Gem.