Turkish Voice of Canada
In January 2020, the Turkish Voice of Canada embarked on a mission to share the inspiring stories of Turkish immigrant women entrepreneurs in Canada. Yet, we soon realized our narrative had a broader canvas. People craved reliable news, accurate information, and a sense of community. The unique connection forged by the Turkish language was unmistakable, highlighting the need for a dedicated voice for all immigrants in Canada. This led to the birth of the Turkish Voice of Canada, envisioned and realized by İrep Çakır.
With her extensive journalistic experience spanning Türkiye and the globe, İrep Çakır created more than a brand; she established a platform where diverse voices could converge. The essence of our identity is captured in our logo, where the Canadian maple leaf harmoniously blends with the Turkish tulip – a symbol of our cultural and artistic heritage. The amalgamation of colors in our logo echoes our commitment to inclusivity, transcending language, religion, race, culture, and identity.
Turkish Voice of Canada transcends boundaries, catering to Canadians, Turks, Kurds, Alevis, Jews, Armenians, and more. We pride ourselves on being an independent and inclusive source of information, championing human rights, justice, freedom, equality, and solidarity.
Whether you're deeply rooted in Canada, a recent arrival, or connected through family, business, or education, Turkish Voice of Canada's diverse content enriches your experience covering a vast spectrum of topics relevant to immigrant life.
Our approach to community publishing is inclusive, unbiased and comprehensive. We delve into the economy, employment, real estate, taxes, entrepreneurship, politics, health, education, and more. Cultural and social events, societal upheavals, quests for justice, and critical updates on Canada's immigration policies are featured, with in-depth reporting and insightful interviews with state officials, government representatives and experts.
Since our inception, we have grown into a source of knowledge and inspiration for immigrants, reaching audiences from the USA, Europe, the Turkic Republics, and even Australia. Our journey extends beyond our YouTube broadcasts. We connect with you on social media, offering specialized content on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Threads.
Turkish Voice of Canada is more than a media platform; it's a community, a guide, and a voice for all.
İrep Çakır
With a journey spanning 30 years, İrep Çakır has carved a unique place in the world of broadcast journalism. As a correspondent, war reporter, documentary and television producer, her career is marked by ventures into war zones and disaster areas, including Kosovo, Palestine-Israel, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Her commitment to uncovering truth led her to reach the unreachable and voice the unspoken, securing interviews with prominent figures in Türkiye and global politics.
İrep's storytelling is distinguished by her unique style — a blend of honesty, humanity, and a fresh perspective. She has passionately reported on human and women's rights, environmental sustainability, and living standards in underdeveloped regions for the most prominent Turkish news outlets. Her expertise extended to roles as a news producer for Swiss and Australian TV channels in Turkiye, and collaborations with NGOs dedicated to children's education.
As a speaker at universities and private forums, İrep shares insights on war reporting, the challenges of being a female journalist in conservative Oriental societies and Islamic regions, and the nuances of television journalism.
Now residing in Canada with her three children and dog, İrep continues to bring her free-spirited, original, and dynamic reporting to "Turkish Voice of Canada," the only online platform broadcasting in Turkish at a federal level in Canada. As the founder, content producer, and presenter of the channel, she infuses her world view and values into every aspect of the platform. She also lends her expertise to Turkish news channels, commenting on Canadian developments.
A graduate of METU's International Relations department and Private Tevfik Fikret High School Ankara, İrep describes her multicultural fluency: living in English, writing in Turkish, and feeling in French.
The Turkish Voice of Canada, to which she has dedicated all her personal experience and professional knowledge in the pursuit of independent and original broadcasting, is her pride and joy, a reflection of her worldview and the value she places on people.
Our Team
Çiğdem Öztürk Çınaroğlu
Vancouver Reporter
Çiğdem pursued her academic aspirations with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Istanbul University and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Gebze Technical University. She carved a niche for herself in Human Resources Management, contributing at various levels in both national and international companies from 2004 to 2019. In a bold move in 2019, Çiğdem, along with her husband and two children, embarked on a new chapter by immigrating to Canada. In Richmond, B.C., she established her own venture, diving into the role of an International Education Consultant. Committed to easing the transition for newcomers in Canada, she also devises professional solutions to streamline their employment processes. A firm believer in social solidarity, Çiğdem actively engaged with the Turkish-Canadian community. She served on the Turkish-Canadian Society of Vancouver Board of Directors from September 2021 to February 2023. With her sincere and meticulous interviews, Çiğdem has become an indispensable voice for Turkish Voice of Canada in Vancouver.
Yasemin Orhan
Ottawa Reporter
Yasemin Orhan embarked on her journalistic journey fueled by a deep-seated passion for the field. A proud alumnus of Selçuk University, she completed her studies in Public Relations and Journalism in 2004. Yasemin's career flourished as she honed her skills with leading media organizations in Turkey, including prominent names like Sabah and Hürriyet. Driven by a strong belief in the transformative power of volunteer work within immigrant communities, Yasemin brought her journalistic zeal to the Turkish Voice of Canada. Volunteering as the Ottawa correspondent, her commitment to keeping her finger on the pulse of society ensures that the voice of the community is heard and represented accurately.