It’s been nearly two years since Frédéric Harding, a Montreal native, followed the West Wind to become a journalist with Radio-Canada in Saskatchewan. He has officially been the star presenter of the morning show Point du jour since July 1st, although his warm voice has been waking up Fransaskois for several months. A turning point for the 28-year-old journalist, for whom Radio Canada is also a family affair.

What are your impressions after several months at the helm of the morning show Point du Jour?

I was very excited because I love the radio format. I think I made my place there and settled in by creating the mood I want, the climate I want, which is a warm climate. I can’t wait to move on and continue the construction work I’ve already started on this show to make it my own.

What were you doing before this radio adventure?

I have worked for Ici Radio-Canada Première before. I was in Saskatchewan, was a news anchor for a while, and then a reporter.

Before arriving in the province, I worked in local print media for four newspapers for a year and a half. I was primarily responsible for political affairs in a neighborhood in Montreal called Outremont. It was one of my main jobs. I have created many print media and submitted articles.

What made you decide to settle in Saskatchewan?

It’s funny because both of my parents are actually Radio Canadians. My father was a radio host, then my mother was editor-in-chief and she pushed me to join the Canadian radio adventure. At that time there were vacancies in the West. She said, “Apply,” so I applied. I didn’t necessarily think I would get caught.

Do you also have radio-canadian DNA?

My father was with CBC, he speaks English but is fluent in French. I grew up speaking French, not English. At that time my mother was with Radio-Canada, so we can say that there is a Radio-Canadian lineage in the family.

I think radio is the only medium that offers closeness and intimacy with the listeners

What does it mean for your career as a journalist to be the morning voice that many people listen to when they wake up or go to work?

It’s a major turning point and pivot that I’ve been waiting for to flourish in what I have to offer.

I can write if I have to to go on TV, but above all I want to use the medium of radio to develop an atmosphere, a warmth, a contact.

I think that radio is the only medium that offers closeness and intimacy with the listeners. In it I think it’s a clear shift towards the world of radio.

How would you define the editorial line of your show?

The editorial line is simple: educate people on what they need to know about the news, the major news lines criss-crossing Saskatchewan.

Behind your microphone, what would you like to say to the Fransaskois who are listening to you?

Certainly the news remain in the foreground, they are the ones that structure the program. I want to offer a sort of concentrate of news and stories: politics, community and Canada.

But what makes the radio, especially the morning radio, for me is the energy. It has to be an intense manifestation of energy. The radio, in the morning when I get up I do my best. I want it to be a show that wakes people up. It’s like listening to point du jour, like taking a long sip of coffee.

Which topics are you most interested in as a moderator?

What interests me a lot is politics. What happened to the by-elections interested me. All discussions I have with observers of the political scene excite me because politics is a reflection of larger causes.

Every animator has their own style. Her predecessor Elsie Miclisse always started the show with an inspirational quote. Have you found your style yet?

On the one hand, I express my enthusiasm. When it comes to good taste, I’m very open privately. I can provide insights, sometimes inspirational reflections.

The show is also very influenced by the discussions that we have. I wanted to put my staff at the center of the show, be it my director or the radio consoles that deliver the news.

Sometimes we put the answers, the quick-wittedness, at the center of our exchange. We’re vivacious, we’re smart, we’re funny. I want it to be a meeting between friends within the team and it’s a meeting we invite everyone to.

Who is the person you would like to interview?

My radio role model is someone like Stéphan Bureau [journaliste-animateur]. If he’s coming to Saskatchewan for any reason, I’d love to interview him.

I like his intelligence, I like the baggage he carries. He’s someone who changes all the shows he touches in his own way.

What do you think is the first quality of a good animator?

For me he is someone who captures our attention, both through his human qualities and through his vulnerability, his intelligence but also through his culture.