CBC’s Hana Gartner retires after 35 years with ‘The Fifth Estate’ and CBC News

<p>TORONTO – Veteran “Fifth Estate” host Hana Gartner, who paired fierce intelligence with warm charm in her on-air interviews, is retiring after more than 35 years with the CBC.</p> <p>The announcement came in a joint statement emailed to staff from Jennifer McGuire, general manager of CBC News, and Heaton Dyer, executive director of programming at CBC News.</p> <p>”Hana has covered some aspect of nearly every conceivable story, moving from investigations to human interest, social issues to humour, with the control and grace of an Olympic skater,” the statement read.</p> <p>”Hana leaves us soon to pack some new chapters into her remarkable life story and she will genuinely be missed…. Happy trails Hana… we look forward to following your journey and the next steps for a true pioneer and trail blazer.”</p> <p>A skilled interviewer, bosses lauded Gartner’s ability to cut to the heart of the matter in face-to-face showdowns with intimidating newsmakers.</p> <p>They included steely interviews with eco-warrior Wiebo Ludwig, polygamist Winston Blackmore, former pro wrestler Tiger Jeet Singh, and mob hit man Donald Lavoie, who famously ordered cameras to stop rolling during intense questioning.</p> <p>”There’s something about a movement, an action, that suddenly convinces the audience of who they are,” Gartner said previously on “The Fifth Estate” website, describing her interview style.</p> <p>She wasn’t immediately available to comment on her retirement. </p> <p>Gartner began her journalism career at a Montreal radio station in 1970 and soon became the parliamentary correspondent for Standard Broadcasting News.</p> <p>She joined CBC Montreal in 1974, and moved to Toronto a year later to work on a program called “In Good Company,” alongside Roger Abbott, Don Ferguson, Nancy White and Gene DiNovi.</p> <p>She later moved on as host of “Take 30” before joining “The Fifth Estate” in 1982.</p> <p>Gartner’s accolades include two Gordon Sinclair Awards for excellence in broadcast journalism and five Gemini Awards.</p> <p>She’s currently nominated for a Michener Award for her story about a troubled teen who died while in the Ontario corrections system. She’s expected to attend the awards ceremony at Ottawa’s Rideau Hall on June 14.</p> <p>”The Fifth Estate” recently ended its season but is planning a tribute to Gartner when it returns to air in the fall, said a CBC spokesman.</p>