Up Here with Up North’s Jonathan Pinto

Ever wondered why everyone’s favourite Up North host moved to Sudbury? Or where this CBC reporter likes to eat in town? Or what he’s most excited for at Up Here 10? We’ve got all the answers in this exclusive interview with the one and only Jonathan Pinto!

What drew you up here (to Sudbury), and what keeps you up here?

After eight years as a producer and reporter down in Windsor, the opportunity to host Up North, CBC Radio’s Northern Ontario afternoon show, is what brought me to Sudbury, way back in the early days of the pandemic. Because of COVID, my family moved here sight unseen—while I knew people in Sudbury, I’d never visited, and even my job interview was virtual.

It didn’t take us long to fall in love with the place. The hills, rocks, and forest of Sudbury were a lovely change from the flat fields of Essex County, especially for my nature-loving wife. For me, one of things I noticed immediately when walking to the CBC Sudbury station downtown was some of the incredible Up Here murals. 

One of my first Instagram posts after moving to Sudbury was of that fantastic Ola Volo mural on Elm Street from Up Here 2. Sudbury’s arts, culture, and design scene is so vibrant, and it’s part of the reason why we love living (up) here.

What’s your most memorable Up Here experience?

No question it was the Porta Potty Party Portal from Up Here 9—he art installation you entered via a false porta-potty nestled among a bank of real ones. We took it in during the Family Day on Saturday afternoon, and the look of surprise on my four-year-old daughter’s face when I took her through the portal was incredible. She loved it so much she made us visit multiple times during our afternoon exploring the event.

What’s your favourite place to eat in Sudbury?

I have a weekly column on Up North called “Northern Nosh” where I talk about our region’s food scene, so that’s a tough question with an answer that is always changing depending on my cravings and mood. I currently can’t get enough of the handmade pork and dill dumplings from Sub World on Elgin Street, near the library. It sounds strange to talk about Chinese dumplings from a sandwich shop, but don’t knock it until you try it. Incredible.

Photo from Sub World Facebook

What’s your favourite secret spot in Sudbury?

My wife found a spot in our Garson neighbourhood with an absolute bounty of wild blueberries, but I’m not allowed to disclose it.
So, I have to steal from my previous answer and say those pork and dill dumplings from Sub World. So good.

What’s your favourite Sudbury story?

The story and success of Sudbury’s regreening program blows my mind. Part of what we love about this community is the nature, so seeing pictures of Sudbury-as-moonscape is wild.

Photo from the City of Greater Sudbury

What are you most looking forward to this year?

The murals have always been my favourite part of the Up Here experience—last year, I did a story where I chatted with some of the artists while they were working, and that was so much fun.

Also, Studio Nude Beach—the people behind Porta Potty Party Portal—are back for Up Here 10, and I can’t wait to see what they have in store.

Are you there yet?

Absolutely not. My life has been about seeing where the journey will take me. I was a computer nerd as a kid, studied urban planning in graduate school, and somehow ended up as a journalist, hosting a radio show on the CBC. I’m in no rush to get to the destination—I’m enjoying the ride!