A new CBC documentary series is sparking national conversation by examining the cultural and political divide between urban and rural Canada. Titled 'Between Two Canadas,' the six-part series takes viewers from downtown Toronto to small prairie towns to explore how geography shapes identity and belonging.
Hosted by journalist Nora MacLeod, the series features interviews with farmers, tech workers, Indigenous leaders, students, and mayors. Each episode focuses on a theme—housing, climate, work, health care—and how different communities experience it depending on where they live.
In one episode, a Vancouver tech entrepreneur and a Nova Scotia fisherman share parallel stories about struggling to keep up with automation and globalization. Despite vastly different contexts, both express a sense of being forgotten by policy-makers.
“We’re not trying to stereotype rural or urban life,” said MacLeod. “We’re asking why it’s so hard for Canadians to hear each other—and what it would take to bridge the gap.”
The series also highlights moments of cooperation. In Saskatchewan, an urban Indigenous artist collaborates with a rural farming family to create a mural that tells a shared story of the land. In Montreal, urban residents join forces with nearby rural towns to develop regional climate solutions.
According to CBC, the project was born out of research showing a growing perception gap between urban and rural Canadians, particularly around issues like climate policy, immigration, and economic recovery.
Each episode includes field reporting, archival footage, and on-location dialogues designed to put lived experiences at the forefront. The goal, producers say, is to create empathy and curiosity across geographic lines.
The series has already prompted reactions from educators and community leaders, many of whom plan to use it in classrooms and public forums. A discussion guide will be released alongside the final episode to encourage civic engagement.
Political analysts suggest that bridging the urban-rural divide could help reduce polarization and strengthen national unity. “It’s not just about where we live—it’s about how we talk to each other,” said sociologist Dr. Peter Yoon.
Early viewership numbers show strong interest, particularly among younger Canadians. Social media hashtags related to the series have trended nationally, with many users sharing their own urban-rural experiences and calls for mutual understanding.
CBC has not confirmed a second season yet, but public response may influence future programming. For now, 'Between Two Canadas' stands as a timely exploration of the values and tensions that define the national conversation.