CBC British Columbia

On The Island Crew


Khalil Akhtar was born in Harrogate, North Yorkshire in England and immigrated to Canada with his family when he was quite young.  He spent part of his childhood in Nova Scotia, but did most of his growing up in New Brunswick. He got his start in radio at CHMA, the campus-community station at Mount Allison University where he studied English and theatre.  Khalil started working as a reporter for CBC Moncton in 2002.  Apart from his new job at On The Island , Khalil continues his national food and culture column which focuses on the food we eat and why we eat it. Khalil is happy to ditch his snow shovel and move to the lush west coast.  He's looking forward to backpacking the region's famous hiking trails, bicycling down the Galloping Goose, eating his way across the island and, of course, telling compelling stories on CBC Radio.



Reporter Lisa Cordasco has been covering Vancouver Island for CBC Radio since 1989, reporting on everything from the protests at Clayoquot Sound to the Reena Virk case to the ongoing collapse of the fishery. She was On The Island's first host, and has played a pivotal role in the birth of the Victoria bureau. A graduate of Carleton, Lisa has also worked in Prince Rupert as Associate Producer, Host, Reporter and Senior Editor. She's appeared on Morningside, As It Happens and This Morning, and filled in as National Reporter in Vancouver and as host of the Afternoon Show.

Michael Tymchuk spent 12 years as a Museum Conservator, Designer and Manager before joining CBC Charlottetown in 1986. Since then he's worked mainly in Calgary, Regina, Prince George and now Victoria. His first staff job was a Television Reporter, but he faded to black and switched to radio in 1989.

Deborah Wilson has covered stories from coast to coast and from Mexico City to the ancient Haida village of Kiusta, over a career spanning more than 25 years. Before joining the CBC Victoria crew she worked for CBC TV and radio in Victoria, The Globe and Mail, the (now defunct) Mexico City News and the Vancouver Sun. She has also written for numerous other newspapers and magazines.

Madeline Green is our News Reader and Associate Producer. She came to On The Island from Nakusp by way of the Applied Communication Program at Camosun College in Victoria.


Amanda Heffelfinger began working as Program Assistant with On The Island in 2002.   She began her career in broadcasting at the University of Victoria's radio station, later working for Shaw Cable and Hansard television at the legislature.  Amanda is a graduate of the Applied Communications Program at Camosun College.

Peter Hutchinson is the Victoria station manager and team leader for On The Island.  He has a long line of producing experience including Commentary, the Business Network, and many CBC network specials and documentaries. Since moving to Victoria Peter's passion for gardening has blossomed.  He wants you to know he's equally passionate about rugby football.

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