Journalism alumna Alexane Drolet named Creator in Residence at Library and Archives Canada
“It’s not true that journalism is dying — but it is true that you’ll probably have to reinvent yourself,” says Alexane Drolet, BA 20.
Alexane Drolet, BA 20, has built a career explaining the news to young audiences.
Now, the Department of Journalism graduate is taking that mission to a national stage as Library and Archives Canada’s new creator in residence.
The eight-month residency invites Drolet to explore the institution’s vast collections in Ottawa and share her discoveries through original digital content designed to reach new audiences.
“There are tons of topics and so much interesting material to discover,” says Drolet. “I want to make sure the public feels like it’s all accessible to them.”
The appointment reflects Drolet’s rapid rise as one of Quebec’s most recognizable news content creators. After working in traditional media as a journalist for Radio-Canada, she launched her own platform, Alexplique, where she explains current events and interviews public figures for a growing online audience.
The idea for the platform took shape during a defining moment early in her career.
“The moment I created Alexplique in my head was the day I interviewed Justin Trudeau at Radio-Canada,” she says. “I felt it was important for the interview to be done by a younger journalist and to be published first on YouTube. That’s when I realized it was time to rethink how we reach younger audiences.”
Drolet’s model has since sparked conversations about how news can evolve in the digital age.
Today, Alexplique has surpassed 125,000 followers on Instagram and built a strong presence on TikTok and YouTube. Drolet’s videos range from weekly news summaries to interviews with political leaders like Prime Minister Mark Carney and deep dives into issues affecting her generation.
Some of those interviews have become major milestones.
“Having Mark Carney on Alexplique was my biggest dream,” she says. “To have gotten that interview just before the first anniversary of my channel felt like the ultimate seal of approval.”
Drolet’s mission remains simple and consistent.
“My main objective now is that people who watch my videos become more interested in the news,” she says. “I want them to want to know more.”
‘Concordia taught me to tell stories that matter’
The Creator in Residence program is designed to help Library and Archives Canada connect with the public in new ways while offering creators fresh perspectives on the country’s documentary heritage. Over the coming months, Drolet will document her research process, share discoveries from the archives and participate in public events leading up to a final showcase.
Librarian and Archivist of Canada Leslie Weir, BA 76, herself a Concordia graduate, praised Drolet’s curiosity and commitment to learning, noting that her work will bring “fresh ways of showcasing our collections.”
A Quebec City native who came to Concordia with limited English, Drolet’s path to journalism took shape on Loyola Campus. She earned her BA in journalism, with a minor in political science, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
One faculty member in particular left a lasting impression: long-time journalism professor Wayne Larsen, BA 98, MA 14.
“He really encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone,” Drolet recalls. “I told him I could never do radio in English because I wasn’t good enough. He said, ‘You’ll never be good enough if you never try.’”
After graduating, Drolet quickly gained experience across the Quebec media landscape, working in television, digital and radio newsrooms before launching her entrepreneurial venture.
“My main objective after Concordia was to work for Radio-Canada — and I did,” she says. “Then in May 2025, I decided to quit my job and start Alexplique.”
The leap paid off. Drolet was named one of 2025’s Personnalités web by La Presse, recognition that highlighted her growing influence and the appetite for new ways of delivering news content.
Despite her success online, Drolet continues to see her work as part of a broader media ecosystem — one that is evolving quickly.
“It’s not true that journalism is dying — but it is true that you’ll probably have to reinvent yourself,” she says.
As she begins her residency in the nation’s capital, Drolet sees the opportunity as a chance to connect the past with the present — and to inspire a new generation to stay curious about the world around them.
“If you’re the young person in the newsroom pushing new ideas, you’re on the right path,” she says.