Famous Canadian Journalists

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Find out more about the greatest Canadian Journalists, including Alexandre Trudeau, Joe Clark, John Roberts, Elizabeth May and Lorne Greene.
Vote for Your Favourite Canadian Journalists
 1 
Malcolm Gladwell
(Author of 'The Tipping Point', 'Blink', and 'Outliers')
Malcolm Gladwell
4
Birthdate: September 3, 1963
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Fareham, United Kingdom
Malcolm Gladwell is best known for his bestselling books The Tipping Point, Blink, and Outliers. He has also written for The New Yorker and The Washington Post. His writings encompass subjects such as psychology, economics, and sociology. Gladwell has also co-founded a podcast company and hosts the podcast Revisionist History.
 2 
Peter Jennings
(One of the Most Prominent Television Journalists and the Anchor of 'ABC World News Tonight’)
Peter Jennings
4
Birthdate: July 29, 1938
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
Died: August 7, 2005

Canadian-American journalist Peter Jennings is best remembered for his stint on ABC World News Tonight, as its sole anchor. A high-school drop-out, Jennings became one of the U.S.’s Big Three news anchors, along with Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather. He was known for his meticulous coverage of breaking news stories.

 3 
David Brooks
(Journalist)
David Brooks
7
Birthdate: August 11, 1961
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Toronto

David Brooks is a Canadian-born American conservative political commentator. Having worked with popular publications like The Washington Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Weekly Standard, and Newsweek, Brooks is currently contributing as a writer for The New York Times. Also an educator, David Brooks has taught at prestigious institutions like the Sanford School of Public Policy and Yale University.

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 4 
Nardwuar the Human Serviette
(Singer, Radio personality, Journalist)
Nardwuar the Human Serviette
5
Birthdate: July 5, 1968
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Vancouver

Nardwuar the Human Serviette is a Canadian musician and interviewer. He was a founding member of the popular garage rock band The Evaporators where he currently serves as the keyboardist and lead singer. As an interviewer Nardwuar is renowned for his unorthodox approach and bizarre questions. In 2019, he was inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame.

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 5 
Lyse Doucet
(Canadian Journalist, BBC’s Chief International Correspondent and Senior Presenter)
Lyse Doucet
5
Birthdate: December 24, 1958
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Bathurst, Canada

Lyse Doucet is a Canadian journalist who works with the popular broadcaster British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). She is BBC's current Chief International correspondent. One of the most respected and decorated Canadian journalists of all time Lyse Doucet has received several prestigious awards, such as the Royal Television Society Award, Peabody Award, David Bloom Award, and a Silver Sony Award. 

 6 
Jane Jacobs
(Journalist and Author Best Known for Her Book ‘The Death and Life of Great American Cities’)
Jane Jacobs
7
Birthdate: May 4, 1916
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: April 25, 2006

American-Canadian journalist Jane Jacobs is best known for her book The Death and Life of Great American Cities. A specialist in urban culture and its issues, she was one of the few women who excelled in a male-dominated field. The Vincent Scully Prize winner was initially scorned at as a housewife.

 7 
Morley Safer
(Journalist Best Known for His Long Tenure on the News Magazine '60 Minutes')
Morley Safer
6
Birthdate: November 8, 1931
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Died: May 19, 2016

Morley Safer was a Canadian-American journalist and correspondent for CBS News. He is best remembered for his tenure on the popular television news broadcast 60 Minutes. Safer is credited with contributing to the success of 60 Minutes, which is the most profitable and most-watched program in television history. During his 60-year career, Morley Safer received several awards including 12 Emmys.

 8 
Ashleigh Banfield
(Journalist, former host of Legal View with Ashleigh Banfield and Early Start on CNN)
Ashleigh Banfield
7
Birthdate: December 29, 1967
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Winnipeg, Canada

Ashleigh Banfield is a Canadian-American journalist best known for hosting the popular television news program Banfield. A well-known journalist, Banfield has also hosted shows like Early Start and Legal View with Ashleigh Banfield on CNN. In 1994, she was honored at the NATPE Iris Awards with two awards under the Best of Festival and Best News Documentary categories.

 9 
Shane Smith
(Canadian Journalist and Executive Chairman of 'Vice Media')
Shane Smith
6
Birthdate: September 28, 1969
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Ottawa, Canada

Vice co-founder and CEO Shane Smith is a renowned journalist and entrepreneur whose work has taken him to remote and war-torn places such as North Korea and Liberia. Listed as one of Canada's Richest People in 2015, he is a self-made millionaire with riches such as an 8-bedroom California mansion.

 10 
John Saunders
(ice hockey player)
John Saunders
5
Birthdate: February 2, 1955
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Ajax

John Saunders was a sports journalist who worked for the popular cable sports channel ESPN from 1986 to 2016. During his career, Saunders anchored important events, such as the 1995 World Series of Major League Baseball (MLB). His book Playing Hurt: My Journey from Despair to Hope was published posthumously.

 11 
Chrystia Freeland
(10th Deputy Prime Minister of Canada )
Chrystia Freeland
10
Birthdate: August 2, 1968
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Peace River, Canada
Known as the Minister of Everything, Christina Freeland is Canada’s 10th deputy prime minister. She is also Canada’s finance minister and the first woman to hold the office. She has previously worked with the Financial Times, Thomson Reuters, and The Globe and Mail. She has also authored a bestselling book. 
 12 
Tarek Fatah
(Journalist Known for His Fiery Stance on Pakistan)
Tarek Fatah
4
Birthdate: November 20, 1949
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Karachi, Pakistan

Tarek Fatah is a Canadian liberal journalist, author, commentator, and Islamic reformer. Fatah, who was born in Pakistan, is renowned for his criticism of Islamism and Pakistan. Thanks to his views, Fatah remains a controversial figure in several Islamic countries. He is also known for his activism and has been active in advocacy groups that support causes like LGBT rights.

 13 
Lisa LaFlamme
(News presenter, Journalist)
Lisa LaFlamme
5
Birthdate: July 25, 1964
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Kitchener
 14 
Alexandre Trudeau
(Canadian Journalist, Author and Second Son of Canada's Former Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau)
Alexandre Trudeau
7
Birthdate: December 25, 1973
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa

The brother of former Canadian PM Pierre Trudeau and the brother of the current PM Justin Trudeau, Alexandre Trudeau is a documentary filmmaker and journalist who has covered events from Baghdad to the Balkans. He is also the author of Barbarian Lost, his reflection on his experiences in China.

 15 
Suroosh Alvi
(Canadian Journalist, Filmmaker and Co-Founder of the Media Brand 'Vice Media')
Suroosh Alvi
5
Birthdate: March 26, 1969
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada

Suroosh Alvi is a Canadian filmmaker and journalist of Pakistani origin. He is credited with co-founding a digital media and broadcasting company called Vice Media which is currently operating in over 50 countries. As a filmmaker, Suroosh Alvi has produced documentaries that deal with controversial issues, such as the Iraq War and the rise of global terrorism.

 16 
Peter Mansbridge
(Journalist, News presenter)
Peter Mansbridge
4
Birthdate: July 6, 1948
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: London

Peter Mansbridge is a British-born Canadian former news anchor. During his 49 years long career, Mansbridge served as the anchor for CBC Television's The National as well as the chief correspondent for CBC News. He also hosted his own show Mansbridge One on One which was aired on CBC News Network. Peter Mansbridge has won many prestigious awards, including 13 Gemini Awards.

 17 
Amanda Lindhout
(Journalist, Autobiographer)
Amanda Lindhout
6
Birthdate: June 12, 1981
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Red Deer
 18 
Serge Monast
(Journalist)
Serge Monast
5
Birthdate: 1945 AD
Birthplace: Montreal, Canada
Died: December 5, 1996

Serge Monast was a Québécois investigative journalist, poet, and essayist. He was also known as a conspiracy theorist. He wrote extensively on the theme of the New World Order in the 1990s and was particularly inspired by the works of fellow conspiracy theorist William Guy Carr. Project Blue Beam (NASA) is one of his most popular works. 

 19 
Cory Doctorow
(Blogger, Journalist, and Science Fiction Author Who Served as Co-editor of the Blog Boing Boing)
Cory Doctorow
5
Birthdate: July 17, 1971
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 20 
Ariel Helwani
(Canadian journalist who primarily covers mixed martial arts)
Ariel Helwani
0
Birthdate: July 8, 1982
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
 21 
Ali Velshi
(Host of the Show Real Money With Ali Velshi on Al Jazeera America)
Ali Velshi
0
Birthdate: October 29, 1969
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Nairobi, Kenya
Ali Velshi, a Kenyan-born Canadian broadcast journalist, is a familiar name in the business shows of NBC with which he has been associated after a long stint with CNN. Apart from being a business correspondent, he also reported extensively on hurricanes and the assassination of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto. He worked for Al Jazeera America till its closure.
 22 
William Lyon Mackenzie
(1st Mayor of Toronto, Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada (1851–1858))
William Lyon Mackenzie
5
Birthdate: March 12, 1795
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Dundee, Scotland
Died: August 28, 1861

Born in Scotland, William Lyon Mackenzie moved to Canada as a merchant but soon got involved in the country’s politics. He later stepped into journalism and launched his own newspaper, the Colonial Advocate. He spearheaded the Canadian Rebellion of 1837, a failed uprising against the Canadian government.

 23 
Geoff Keighley
(Known for his work as a video game TV presenter and journalist in Canada)
Geoff Keighley
5
Birthdate: June 24, 1979
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Canada
 24 
Aaron Maté
(Canadian Journalist and a Reporter for The Grayzone)
Aaron Maté
0
Birthdate: 1982 AD
Birthplace: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
 25 
Max Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook
(Newspaper publisher)
Max Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook
5
Birthdate: May 25, 1879
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Maple, Vaughan, Canada
Died: June 9, 1964
 26 
Olivia Cheng
(Actress, Journalist)
Olivia Cheng
0
Birthdate: August 20, 1979
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
 27 
Robbie Ross
(Canadian-British Journalist, Art Dealer, and Art Critic)
Robbie Ross
5
Birthdate: May 25, 1869
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Tours, France
Died: October 5, 1918
 28 
Wendy Mesley
(One of the Most Recognized Journalists in Canada for Her Tough and Difficult Interviewing Style)
Wendy Mesley
4
Birthdate: January 8, 1957
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Montreal, Canada
 29 
Adrienne Clarkson
(Governor General of Canada from 1999 to 2005)
Adrienne Clarkson
6
Birthdate: February 10, 1939
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Central, Hong Kong

Adrienne Clarkson is a Hong Kong-born Canadian political leader and journalist. She is best known for her service as the Governor General of Canada from 7 October 1999 to 27 September 2005. Over the course of her career, Adrienne Clarkson has won many prestigious medals and awards such as the Canadian Centennial Medal and the Vimy Award.

 30 
Michaela Pereira
(Journalist)
Michaela Pereira
5
Birthdate: August 26, 1970
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Saskatoon
 31 
Irshad Manji
(Ugandan-born Canadian Educator and Writer)
Irshad Manji
4
Birthdate: 1968 AD
Birthplace: Kampala, Uganda
 32 
Ian Hanomansing
(Journalist)
Ian Hanomansing
4
Birthdate: October 17, 1961
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
 33 
Naheed Nenshi
(36th Mayor of Calgary)
Naheed Nenshi
1
Birthdate: February 2, 1972
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
 34 
Graydon Carter
(Journalist who served as the editor of Vanity Fair from 1992 until 2017, co-foundedthe satirical monthly magazine Spy in 1986)
Graydon Carter
3
Birthdate: July 14, 1949
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
 35 
Natasha Fatah
Natasha Fatah
6
Birthplace: Pakistan
 36 
George Brown
(Journalist, Politician and one of the Fathers of Confederation)
George Brown
3
Birthdate: November 29, 1818
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland,
Died: May 9, 1880
 37 
Mary Ann Shadd
(American-Canadian Activist, Journalist, Publisher and the First Black Woman Publisher in North America)
Mary Ann Shadd
5
Birthdate: October 9, 1823
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Wilmington, Delaware, United States
Died: June 5, 1893

The first North American Black woman to publish a newspaper, USA-born Mary Ann Shadd was the founder of the Canadian newspaper, The Provincial Freeman. Concurrently serving as its anonymous editor and contributor, she also became one of the first women to pursue journalism in Canada. She was also one of the first Black women to earn a degree in law.

 38 
David Rakoff
(Essayist, Journalist, Actor, Writer)
David Rakoff
4
Birthdate: November 27, 1964
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Montreal
Died: August 9, 2012
 39 
Hazel Mae
(Canadian television sportscaster)
Hazel Mae
0
Birthdate: April 7, 1970
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Tagbilaran, Philippines
 40 
Adrien Arcand
(Journalist, Politician)
Adrien Arcand
3
Birthdate: October 3, 1899
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Montreal
Died: August 1, 1967
 41 
Robert MacNeil
(Novelist, journalist, and TV news anchor best known for co-creating The MacNeil/Lehrer Report on PBS)
Robert MacNeil
2
Birthdate: January 19, 1931
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Montreal, Canada
 42 
Ralph Klein
(Politician)
Ralph Klein
5
Birthdate: November 1, 1942
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Calgary, Canada
Died: March 29, 2013
 43 
Charles Templeton
(Journalist)
Charles Templeton
2
Birthdate: October 7, 1915
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Toronto
Died: June 7, 2001
 44 
Pierre Berton
(Journalist, Historian, Writer)
Pierre Berton
2
Birthdate: July 12, 1920
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Whitehorse
Died: November 30, 2004
 45 
Christine Simpson
(Journalist)
Christine Simpson
2
Birthdate: October 5, 1964
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: London
 46 
Jeanne Sauvé
(Politician)
Jeanne Sauvé
2
Birthdate: April 26, 1922
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Prud’homme, Canada
Died: January 26, 1993
 47 
Catherine Herridge
(Author and Investigative Journalist)
Catherine Herridge
2
Birthdate: May 18, 1964
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada

CBS News journalist Catherine Herridge has won multiple awards, such as the Tex McCracy Award, for investigative journalism and covered many international events such as the 9/11 attacks. She has also worked with FOX News and penned the book The Next Wave, which spoke about homegrown terrorism.

 48 
Lloyd Robertson
(News presenter)
Lloyd Robertson
2
Birthdate: January 19, 1934
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Stratford
 49 
Avi Lewis
(Documentary filmmaker of This Changes Everything)
Avi Lewis
2
Birthdate: 1967
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Canada
 50 
Maziar Bahari
(Film director, Journalist, Human rights activist)
Maziar Bahari
2
Birthdate: May 25, 1967
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Tehran

Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari is also a human rights activist and an Emmy-winning filmmaker. He has won honors such as the Oxfam Novib/PEN Award. His book Then They Came for Me was a bestseller, while he has made films such as And Along Came a Spider, mirroring Iran’s society.