Wendy Mesley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wendy Mesley
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Mesley in 2012
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| Born |
Montreal, Canada
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| Alma mater | Ryerson Polytechnical Institute |
| Occupation | Broadcast journalist |
| Years active | 1976–present (radio) 1979–present (television) |
| Known for | The Weekly with Wendy Mesley, The National |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Children | 1 |
| Awards | 3 Gemini Awards, 2006 John Drainie Award, 1 Canadian Screen Award |
Wendy Mesley is a well-known Canadian journalist. She worked for CBC News for many years, from 1981 to 2021. During her time there, she had many important jobs. She was a national reporter and hosted several popular TV shows.
Wendy Mesley is also a podcaster and writes online. She is known for her clear and direct way of reporting the news.
Contents
Wendy Mesley's Career in Broadcasting
Wendy Mesley studied journalism at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute. She started her career in television in 1979. She first worked at CFCF-TV in Montreal. By 1981, she joined the CBC.
Early Roles at CBC
In 1985, Wendy Mesley made history at CBC. She became the first female TV reporter to cover the Prime Minister. This was a big step for women in journalism. In 1991, she became a national affairs reporter. She also began hosting a show called Sunday Report.
Hosting Popular TV Shows
From 1994 to 2001, Wendy Mesley helped create and host Undercurrents. This show looked at media and technology. After that, she briefly co-hosted Disclosure.
In 2002, she moved to Marketplace. This show investigates consumer issues. She also often filled in as an anchor for CBC's main evening news show, The National.
Wendy Mesley hosted other special programs too. In 2004, she hosted The Greatest Canadian, a 13-part series. She also co-hosted Test the Nation several times between 2007 and 2008.
Becoming a Main Anchor
Starting in 2009, Wendy Mesley appeared more often on The National. By 2010, she became the regular anchor for the Friday and Sunday editions of the show.
In January 2018, she started hosting a new Sunday morning talk show. It was called The Weekly with Wendy Mesley. This show focused on politics and media.
Leaving CBC News
In 2020, Wendy Mesley was suspended from her show. This happened after she used an inappropriate word during a meeting. She immediately apologized for her mistake. Months before, she had also used a sensitive term while discussing a Quebec law.
On July 5, 2021, Wendy Mesley announced she was leaving CBC. She later wrote an article about her departure. She admitted her mistakes but felt the punishment was too harsh. She also believed her use of the word was not meant to be harmful.
After leaving CBC, Wendy Mesley continued her work. In 2022, she started a podcast called "Women of Ill Repute." She also began writing on Substack, an online platform.
Awards and Recognition
Wendy Mesley has won several important awards for her work. She has received three Gemini Awards for being the best host of a news or talk show.
In 2006, she was given the John Drainie Award by ACTRA. This award recognizes people who have made big contributions to Canadian broadcasting. In 2017, she also won a Canadian Screen Award. This was for being the best host or interviewer in a news or information program.
Wendy Mesley's Personal Life
Wendy Mesley was born in Montreal, Quebec. Her parents separated when she was young. Her mother, Joan Mesley, raised her in Toronto. Her mother worked as a physiotherapist. Wendy met her father, Gordon Mesley, who was a radio journalist, when she was eighteen.
When she was ten, Wendy Mesley joined her mother to support Martin Luther King Jr. They picketed at the U.S. consulate.
Wendy Mesley married fellow CBC news anchor Peter Mansbridge in 1989. They later divorced in 1992. In 1998, she married Liam McQuade, a marketing executive. They have one daughter together.
Health Journey
In 2004, Wendy Mesley was diagnosed with breast cancer. She publicly shared her diagnosis in January 2005. Even while undergoing treatment, she continued to work when she could. She hosted Marketplace and filled in for The National.
After treatments, she returned to work full-time in March 2006. During her treatment, she also filmed a documentary. It was called Chasing the Cancer Answer and aired in 2006.
