CBC News host Peter Mansbridge has been an absolute staple in Canadian households since he began anchoring The National in 1988, with his trademark low voice and measured tone.
On Monday night, Mansbridge, 68, announced that he’s retiring from his post in July 2017 after a long career.
He made a statement about leaving his role as anchor, saying that the 2017 Canada Day celebrations (which will fete our country’s 150th birthday) will most likely be his swan song.
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“This next year will mark 30 years since I was named chief correspondent and anchor of The National… a position that’s an honour and a privilege to occupy. It’s been an amazing time to help chronicle our history, but I’ve decided that this year will be my last one,” he said. “I’ve let the CBC know that I’d like to step down from The National next July 1st — shortly after anchoring our very special Canada Day coverage for 2017.
As someone who believes strongly in public broadcasting, leaving the CBC’s flagship won’t be easy, but what’s important is that The National of the future will continue to reflect our world, our country and our people. There will be more to say about the future in the days to come, but now it’s time to focus on the new season and here at the National we will be doing just that.”
Mansbridge began his career in journalism at the age of 19 when he was offered a job at a local CBC radio station in Churchill, Man., after the station manager heard his voice over the intercom at the airport.
Mansbridge now resides in Stratford, Ont. There has been no mention of a replacement anchor for The National once Mansbridge is out.
Fans and Canadians of all stripes posted their thoughts on Twitter — some supportive, others using humour — following his announcement.
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Here are five things you may not know about Peter Mansbridge:
1. Born in London, England in 1948, Mansbridge began his radio career in 1968 in Churchill where he helped develop CBC Radio’s news service to Northern Canada.
2. Mansbridge joined CBC Radio in Winnipeg as a reporter in 1971 and joined CBC Television the following year. He became The National‘s reporter in Saskatchewan in 1975, joined the network’s parliamentary bureau in Ottawa in 1976 and became chief correspondent and anchor of The National in 1988.
3. Mansbridge, who has covered every federal election since 1972 and has anchored all 10 since 1984, remains the only Canadian journalist to interview both U.S. President Barack Obama and former British Prime Minister David Cameron.
4. Mansbridge has won 13 awards for excellence, is an officer of the Order of Canada and has nine honorary degrees from eight Canadian universities and one in the United States. He was named Chancellor of Mount Allison University in New Brunswick in 2009 and named to the Canadian News Hall of Fame earlier this year.
5. He has hosted eight Olympic Opening Ceremonies (Seoul in 1988, Albertville in 1992, Atlanta in 1996, Athens in 2004, Torino in 2006, Beijing in 2008, Sochi in 2014 and Rio in 2016).
With files from The Canadian Press
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