Wikipedia

Peter Mansbridge

Peter MansbridgeOC(born July 6, 1948) is a British-born Canadian retired news anchor. From 1988 to 2017, he was chief correspondent forCBC Newsand anchor ofThe National,CBC Television's flagship nightly newscast. He was also host ofCBC News Network'sMansbridge One on One.Mansbridge has received many awards and accolades for his journalistic work, including an honorary doctorate fromMount Allison University,where he served aschancelloruntil the end of 2017.[1]On September 5, 2016, theCanadian Broadcasting Corporationannounced that Mansbridge would be stepping down as chief correspondent and anchor on July 1, 2017, after the coverage of Canada's 150th-anniversary celebrations.[2][3]

Peter Mansbridge
OC
Mansbridge atMount Allison Universityin May 2011
Born(1948-07-06)July 6, 1948(age 76)
London,England, United Kingdom
NationalityBritish, Canadian
Occupation(s)Journalist,news presenter
Years active1968–2017
EmployerCanadian Broadcasting Corporation
Television
Spouses
  • Parm Dhillon (div.1975)
  • ​
    ​
    (m.1989;div.1992)​
  • ​
    (m.1998)​
Children3
Websitethe bridge with Peter Mansbridge

Early life

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Mansbridge was born on July 6, 1948, inLondon,England.[4]He and his siblings Paul and Wendy were the children of Stanley Harry Mansbridge,DFC[5](1918–2005), anRAFWing Commander[5]who worked as a civil servant in England, Malaya, and Canada; and Brenda Louise Mansbridge (néeHarris-Jones, died 2008).[6]His father received a DFC for his service as a navigator aboard anAvro Lancasterbomber duringWorld War II.[5]His grandfather Harry Mansbridge was Canadian and a member of thePrincess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.[7]After moving toOttawa,Ontario,Mansbridge attended high school at theGlebe Collegiate Institute,but dropped out or quit before graduating Grade 12 in 1966. He next served in theRoyal Canadian Navyin 1966 and 1967 as a Royal Canadian Navy Pilot Trainee (Venture Officer's Plan) but left because this 2 year RCN Officer training plan required everyone joining to be a High School graduate.

Newscasting career

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Mansbridge worked as a ticket agent forTransairatChurchill AirportinChurchill,Manitoba.In 1968, Mansbridge was discovered by Gaston Charpentier, a station manager for the localCanadian Broadcasting Corporation(CBC) radio stationCHFC,when he heard Mansbridge making a flight announcement. Charpentier hired the 19-year-old Mansbridge as the host of CHFC's late night music program.[8]In 1971, Mansbridge moved toWinnipegto continue as a reporter for theCBWradio station and in the next year, he joinedCBWT-TVas a reporter.

In 1975, Mansbridge became a reporter inSaskatchewanfor the CBC's flagship evening news programThe National.In 1976, he relocated to Ottawa to becomeparliamentarycorrespondent.[8]Following a decade of political coverage, Mansbridge had become a substitute anchor forKnowlton Nashand in 1988,CBSoffered him a job as a co-anchor for a morning show. To keep Mansbridge in Canada, Nash retired from his anchoring duties at the CBC.[9]

Mansbridge (right foreground) with CBC panelists and producers duringPope John Paul II's second Canadian tour in September 1984

Mansbridge was also the announcer of CBC News'This Week In Parliament(1981–1993), which was hosted by colleagueDon Newman;Mansbridge provided the voice-over for the opening, intro, and ending of the program.[citation needed]

On May 1, 1988, Mansbridge debuted as the sole anchor ofThe National.In 1992 he became co-anchor withPamela WallinofCBC Prime Time News,which replacedThe Nationalas CBC Television's main network newscast; when the newscast reverted to the nameThe Nationalin 1995, Mansbridge resumed his role as the program's sole anchor.

During his tenure as anchor, he covered Canadian news stories includingfederal elections,partyleadership conventions,theMeech Lake Accordnegotiations, theCharlottetown Accordand its referendum, the1995 Quebec referendum,floods in Manitoba in 1997,ice storms in Ontario and Quebec in 1998,the six days in September 2000 that marked thedeath and state funeral of Pierre Trudeau,the2003 blackout across much of Eastern North Americaand thedeath and state funeral of Jack Layton.His coverage of the blackout was notable because the normally clean-shaven Mansbridge had grown abeardduring his summer hiatus (as he did every summer), and the news of the blackout broke with no time for him to shave. Thus, Canadian viewers saw a bearded Peter Mansbridge reporting on the events of that day.

He has also anchored coverage of many world events, both in the studio and on the scene. In the studio, he anchored coverage of theGulf War,theWar in Kosovo,theSeptember 11 attacksand the2014 Parliament Hill shootings.He was on the air live when the2003 invasion of Iraqbegan and anchored coverage of it. On the scene, he anchored coverage of the fall of theBerlin Wall,the funerals ofDiana, Princess of WalesandPope John Paul II,numerousroyal,papal,andUS presidentialvisits to Canada, numerousOlympic Games,and theinauguration of US President Barack Obama.He reported extensively fromNormandyboth 50 and then 60 years afterD-Dayand from theUnited Kingdomand theNetherlandsfor the fiftieth anniversary ofV-E Day.He also reported from the Netherlands for the sixtieth anniversary of V-E Day.

In 1999, he launched a new program,Mansbridge One on One,in which he interviewed newsmakers.

Mansbridge opensThe Nationalat theCanadian Light Sourcecyclotron, October 2004

With the retirement ofLloyd RobertsonofCTV National Newson September 1, 2011, Mansbridge became the longest-serving active anchor among the big three networks in Canada, asDawna Friesenhad taken over as anchor atGlobal Nationalonly in 2010.[10]Lisa LaFlammetaking over for Robertson also meant that Mansbridge is the only male chief anchor among the big three English networks in Canada (Mansbridge, LaFlamme, and Friesen).[11]

Controversies

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Salary speculation

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In 2011, Conservative Member of Parliament, Brent Rathgeber, had questions regarding the compensation of Peter Mansbridge and other CBC personalities.[12][13]The former Canadian Heritage Minister, James Moore, stated that, while Mansbridge could disclose his salary on his own accord, the Canadian Government could not be compelled to do so.[12][13]In 2014, the CBC provided a document to the Canadian Senate Committee on Transport and Communications indicating that Peter Mansbridge earned $80,000 per year.[14]Later that year, CBC released additional documents to both the Senate and on its own webpage demonstrating that four CBC "on-air" employees earned more than $300,000 per year (the average salary of these four employees was $485,667 per year in 2014); while the CBC did not disclose the name of these employees, it was speculated that Peter Mansbridge was likely in this group of four.[15][16][17]While the CBC still releases a Compensation Report online, it does not include prior years; however some screen captures of the 2014 compensation report were made available by media outlets.[17][18]In 2016, an anonymous source revealed CBC internal documents to CANADALAND's Jesse Brown indicating Peter Mansbridge's salary, including additional remunerations on top of his base pay, was roughly $1.1 million per year for a number of years prior to 2014.[19]Despite there being screen captures of Mansbridge's alleged employee file and salary numbers, Mansbridge has strongly denied the veracity of the $1.1 million per year salary figure.[19]

Speaking fees controversy

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In 2014, Mansbridge faced criticism for accepting speaking fees. Mansbridge defended himself saying he gave about 20 speeches each year, about half of them unpaid, and that he often donates part of the money to charity. However, he had recently made a paid speech at the Investment Symposium organized by theCanadian Association of Petroleum Producers(CAPP), a lobby group that promotes the pro-oil-sands-development side of the debate.[20][21]Media critics felt accepting payment from an agency actively trying to influence public policy, even if it was only as a speaking fee, could be a conflict of interest.[22]Mansbridge was the second CBC employee discovered to be accepting money from outside agencies for speaking fees.Rex Murphyof CBC's Cross Country Check-up was the first.[23]CBC president Hubert Lacroix defended the practice stating that the CBC was aware of the speaking engagements and payments, having pre-vetted them for any potential conflict of interest.[24]Nevertheless, the CBC reviewed its policies following the controversy.[23]In 2016, anonymous insider sources from the CBC told CANADALAND that the CBC compensated Mansbridge for losing earnings from speaking fees; Mansbridge denies this claim.[19]

Retirement

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In 2016, Mansbridge announced his retirement from hostingThe National,and step down as Chief Correspondent of CBC News after anchoring CBC'sCanada Daycoverage on the country's 150th anniversary.[25][26]He made his final broadcast fromThe Nationalon June 30, 2017; and made his final live coverage during Canada Day on July 1, 2017, paving the way for his retirement.[2][27]

From October to December 2017, Mansbridge undertook a 17-stop cross-Canada storytelling tour.[28][29]However, all 17 of the events were later cancelled.

Since his retirement, he made appearances in CBC including as guest co-host on CBC's coverage of thewedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Marklein May 2018,[30]and as a guest contributor for the2019 federal election.

Personal life

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Mansbridge has been married three times. His previous marriage to CBC colleagueWendy Mesley(January 6, 1989 – 1992) became regular tabloid fodder inFrankmagazine as their marriage ended.[31]He has been married to Canadian actressCynthia Dalesince November 14, 1998,[32]and they have a son, William, born in 1999.[33]Mansbridge has two daughters from a first marriage to Parm Dhillon, which ended in 1975.[citation needed]He lives inStratford, Ontariowith his family, and also has a summer cottage in theGatineau Hills.[34]

Among his hobbies, Mansbridge collects small mementos from his travels around the world, including rocks, soil and other “sentimental” items from various prominent historical places. He kept pebbles from a visit to the Battle of Dieppe site in France, dirt from Vimy Ridge, and sand from the beaches at Normandy, as well as pieces of theBerlin Walland theGreat Wall of China.[35]A silver bracelet was bought on his trip to South Africa forNelson Mandela's funeral, which is engraved only with the numerals “46664” — Mandela's prisoner number onRobben Island.[36]

Mansbridge was and is also an avid and longtime fan of theoriginal Winnipeg Jetsand the currentWinnipeg Jets,having attended the signing ofBobby Hullin 1972 while working as a reporter forCBWT.[37]Mansbridge's past public support for both Jets franchises – including use of hisTwitteraccount – is often seen as a humorous contrast to his balanced reporting style.[38]To underline this image, Mansbridge is also known to occasionally make jokes at the expense of theToronto Maple Leafs.Nonetheless, he continues to support his childhoodMaple Leafsin a secondary capacity.[38]

Mansbridge had a voice cameo in the 2016Walt Disney Animation StudiosfilmZootopiaas "Peter Moosebridge," ananthropomorphicmoosenews anchor.[39]Ahead of his final broadcast in 2017, a space in theCanadian Broadcasting Centrein Toronto was renamed as Mansbridge Hall in his honor.[40]

Since the2019 Canadian federal election,Mansbridge has hosted a daily podcast called The Bridge.

Awards and honorary degrees

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Mansbridge has won several honours throughout his career, including 13Gemini awards.In 2008, he was made anOfficer of the Order of Canada,the second grade ofnation's second highest civilian honour.[41][42]In that capacity, theQueen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medalwas also conferred upon him in 2012.

Peter Mansbridge has received a number of honorary degrees; these include:

References

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  1. ^"Mount Allison University announces next Chancellor".Mount Allison University. February 6, 2017.
  2. ^ab"Peter Mansbridge to step down from The National next year".CBC News.September 5, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 6,2016.
  3. ^"Peter Mansbridge to step down as CBC News anchor next July".Toronto Star.September 5, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 6,2016.
  4. ^Canadian Encyclopedia.p. Peter Mansbridge.RetrievedJune 6,2014.
  5. ^abcCBC News (June 6, 2014). ""The National" CBC National News ". CBC.
  6. ^"Brenda Mansbridge Obituary (2008) - Ottawa Citizen".Legacy.com.
  7. ^"Obit - Stanley Mansbridge - Genealogy.com".www.genealogy.com.RetrievedDecember 4,2023.
  8. ^abScott, Maureen."Peter Mansbridge One on One".Good Life Mississauga(May/June 2010). Metroland Media Group. Archived fromthe originalon May 30, 2015.RetrievedJune 24,2014.
  9. ^"Former CBC anchor Knowlton Nash dead at age 86".The Globe and Mail.May 24, 2014. Archived fromthe originalon September 24, 2022.RetrievedNovember 6,2023.
  10. ^Lackner, Chris (September 2, 2011). "Global marks news anniversary; Series will showcase major events covered during its 10-year run".The Montreal Gazette.p. C10.
  11. ^Zerbisias, Antonia (September 22, 2010). "The hair is gone, but not the passion: Peter Mansbridge, the voice of CBC-TV since 1988, is nowhere near ready to give up the reins at The National".Toronto Star.p. E1.
  12. ^ab"Ottawa can't compel CBC to disclose Mansbridge's salary, minister says".The Globe and Mail.November 29, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 30,2017.
  13. ^ab"Release of CBC salary information Mansbridge's prerogative: Moore".Global News.RetrievedSeptember 30,2017.
  14. ^Valiante, Giuseppe (May 14, 2014)."CBC says Peter Mansbridge makes just $80,000".The Winnipeg Sun.RetrievedSeptember 30,2017.
  15. ^Press, Jordan (September 28, 2014)."CBC releases details of employee compensation".Ottawa Citizen.RetrievedSeptember 20,2017.
  16. ^"CBC reveals four employees earn more than $300,000 a year, but public broadcaster won't say who they are".National Post.September 28, 2014.RetrievedSeptember 30,2017.
  17. ^ab"CBC Salaries Report Unveils The Numbers, But Not The Names".HuffPost Canada.September 29, 2014.RetrievedSeptember 30,2017.
  18. ^"Compensation Summary • CBC/Radio-Canada".www.cbc.radio-canada.ca.RetrievedSeptember 30,2017.
  19. ^abcBrown, Jesse (September 6, 2016)."We Found Out How Much the CBC Really Pays Mansbridge".CANADALAND.RetrievedSeptember 30,2017.
  20. ^Baluja, Tamara (March 4, 2014)."What Peter Mansbridge's CAPP speaking fee says about his news judgment".JSource.RetrievedApril 9,2019.
  21. ^Brown, Jesse (February 26, 2014)."Oil Sands Group Confirms Paying Peter Mansbridge".CANADALAND.RetrievedSeptember 30,2017.
  22. ^"Debating the ethics of journalists & paid speaking engagements".CBC Radio.February 28, 2014.RetrievedMarch 14,2020.
  23. ^abMcGuire, Jennifer (April 24, 2014)."Review of speaking engagements".CBC News.RetrievedMarch 14,2020.
  24. ^"Peter Mansbridge defends himself after report of paid speech to oil industry | The Star".The Toronto Star.February 28, 2014.RetrievedApril 9,2019.
  25. ^Adams, Joanna (September 5, 2016)."Peter Mansbridge Retiring From 'The National,' Will Step Down On Canada Day 2017".HuffPost Canada.RetrievedOctober 14,2020.
  26. ^"Peter Mansbridge to step down from The National next year".CBC News.September 5, 2016.RetrievedOctober 14,2020.
  27. ^Menon, Vinay (June 24, 2017)."As he prepares to sign off air, Peter Mansbridge says 'significant change is coming' to The National | The Star".The Toronto Star.RetrievedApril 9,2019.
  28. ^Bill Taylor (August 22, 2017)."Peter Mansbridge Announces National Storytelling Tour".Canadify.RetrievedAugust 26,2017.
  29. ^"Peter Mansbridge announces coast to coast storytelling tour".The Coast.RetrievedAugust 26,2017.
  30. ^"Leave It To Peter Mansbridge To Explain Why The Royal Wedding Matters".HuffPost Canada.May 19, 2018.RetrievedApril 9,2019.
  31. ^McDonald, Marci (May 26, 1997)."Canada's Star News Anchors".Maclean's.RetrievedFebruary 1,2021.
  32. ^"Mansbridge marries Dale".CBC News.November 17, 1998.RetrievedMarch 24,2008.
  33. ^Ouzounian, Richard (October 28, 2007)."Curtain falls on Stratford's leading lady".Toronto Star.Toronto, Ontario. Archived fromthe originalon October 29, 2007.RetrievedMarch 15,2020.
  34. ^Wootton, Jenna (June 4, 2012)."Famous Canadian Cottagers: Peter Mansbridge".Cottage Life.RetrievedJune 26,2013.
  35. ^Friend, David (June 28, 2017)."Peter Mansbridge plans quiet exit from 'The National'".Global News/The Canadian Press.RetrievedJune 29,2017.
  36. ^Menon, Vinay (June 24, 2017)."As he prepares to sign off-air, Peter Mansbridge says 'significant change is coming' to The National | Toronto Star".The Toronto Star.RetrievedJune 29,2017.
  37. ^"Peter Mansbridge on Winnipeg Jets loyalty".
  38. ^abKirbyson, Geoff (January 29, 2013)."He loves the Jets".Jetcetera/Winnipeg Free Press.
  39. ^"Peter Mansbridge voices moose in Disney film 'Zootopia'".Toronto Sun.November 13, 2015.RetrievedNovember 13,2015.
  40. ^Watters, Haydn (June 28, 2017)."A CBC send-off: Colleagues salute Peter Mansbridge ahead of final broadcast".CBC News.RetrievedOctober 2,2020.
  41. ^"Peter Mansbridge".Governor General of Canada.RetrievedJune 17,2013.
  42. ^"Peter Mansbridge appointed to the Order of Canada".Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 1, 2008.RetrievedJune 24,2014.
  43. ^"Graduating".Lakehead University.RetrievedApril 9,2019.
  44. ^https://www.mtroyal.ca/AboutMountRoyal/OfficesGovernance/_pdfs/honorary_degree_recipients_v2.pdf[bare URL PDF]
  45. ^"Mount Allison University | Honorary degree recipients 20th century".www.mta.ca.Archived fromthe originalon June 12, 2018.RetrievedApril 9,2019.
  46. ^"University of Manitoba: Archives & Special Collections".umanitoba.ca.RetrievedApril 9,2019.
  47. ^"Ryerson University: RYERSON HONORARY DOCTORATES".www.ryerson.ca.RetrievedApril 9,2019.
  48. ^Honourary Degree Recipients by Last Name & Dateuwo.ca
  49. ^"Archived copy"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on March 7, 2016.RetrievedAugust 3,2015.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  50. ^"Spotted on Campus: Peter Mansbridge | Excalibur Publications".Archived fromthe originalon October 3, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 6,2016.
  51. ^"Honorary Degree Recipients (Spring 2014) - Convocation".Archived fromthe originalon June 18, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 8,2017.
  52. ^"Peter Mansbridge | Convocation | University of Calgary".www.ucalgary.ca.RetrievedApril 9,2019.
  53. ^"Icons of stage and screen: Cynthia Dale and Peter Mansbridge to receive honorary degrees".RetrievedApril 9,2019.
  54. ^"#UofTGrad17:" We need you to change the world, "honorary degree recipient Peter Mansbridge tells new grads".U of T News. June 22, 2017.
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Academic offices
Preceded by ChancellorofMount Allison University
2009–2017 		Succeeded by
Media offices
Preceded by Chief Correspondent forCBC News
1988–2017 		Succeeded by
Anchor ofThe National
1988–1992
Served alongside:Pamela Wallin(1992–1995) and
Hana Gartner(1995) ofCBC Prime Time News(1992–1995) 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Anchor ofThe National
1995–2017 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peter_Mansbridge&oldid=1237868277"