Pamela Wallin
Encyclopedia
Pamela Wallin, OC
, SOM
(born April 10, 1953) is a former Canadian
television journalist and diplomat. On January 2, 2009, she was seated in the Canadian Senate
, where she sits as a Conservative
.
, Saskatchewan
, and is of Swedish descent. After obtaining a degree in psychology
and political science
from the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus (now the University of Regina
), she began her career as a social worker at the Saskatchewan Federal Penitentiary
. Politically, she was a member of The Waffle
, a left wing faction of the New Democratic Party
. She has no children of her own, however, she has one goddaughter.
's news division. In 1979, she joined the Ottawa bureau of the Toronto Star
. In 1981, she joined CTV
and became cohost, with Norm Perry
, of Canada AM
. In 1985, CTV named her its Ottawa bureau chief. She later rejoined Canada AM, hosting alongside J.D. Roberts.
In 1992, CBC Television
hired Wallin in a highly publicized move. For many years, The National had been followed by a 40-minute nightly newsmagazine, hosted by Barbara Frum
, called The Journal. However, as a result of Frum's death in February 1992, the CBC wanted to revamp and reposition its entire approach to news programming.
In the fall of that year, Wallin and Peter Mansbridge
debuted as the cohosts of Prime Time News
. Instead of the old segregation of Mansbridge reading the news on The National, followed by Frum introducing documentary and current affairs features and interviewing newsmakers on The Journal, the new show featured Wallin and Mansbridge as equal hosts of the whole package. As well, the new show aired at 9 p.m., one hour earlier than the old National/Journal tandem.
The show fared poorly in the ratings, and by 1994, had returned to its old format and time slot, with Mansbridge reading the news, followed by Wallin hosting a magazine segment which eventually took on the name The National Magazine. In 1995, Wallin was replaced as host of The Magazine by Hana Gartner
.
Following her dismissal from CBC News, Wallin created her own production company, and launched a daily interview series called Pamela Wallin Live
. Airing on CBC Newsworld
and, in some years, on the CBC's main network as well, Pamela Wallin Live was a highly successful series which featured Wallin interviewing newsmakers, celebrities and other interesting personalities in a manner similar to CNN
's Larry King Live
. The show ran for four years before Wallin moved to the cable network TalkTV.
In 2000, Wallin hosted the Canadian edition of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
. She was criticized by some observers for compromising her journalistic integrity, but noted in response that as an interviewer and television producer, she was no longer working as a journalist in the traditional sense of the word.
In 2001, Wallin, along with then-Foreign Affairs Minister John Manley
, was one of the organizers of the "Canada Loves New York" rally for Canadians to show their support after the September 11, 2001 attacks
(Manley ran in the New York City Marathon
in 2001, a contributing factor to organize the rally). In 2003, Wallin and Senator Jerry Grafstein
were honored by the Canadian Society of New York for their ongoing commitment to strengthening the ties between Canada and the United States. In 2001, Wallin spoke publicly about her battle
with colon cancer.
Wallin has also published two books, Since You Asked (ISBN 978-0679310082) and Speaking of Success (ISBN 1552633705), and has made cameo appearances on the Canadian comedy series Royal Canadian Air Farce
and Corner Gas
.
Jean Chrétien
advised Governor General
Adrienne Clarkson
to appoint Wallin to a four-year term as Canada's Consul General in New York City
, her first diplomatic posting. Afterward she became a senior advisor to the president of the Americas Society and the Council of the Americas
in New York.
In March 2007, she was appointed the seventh Chancellor
of the University of Guelph
, being installed in June of the same year, and she is also now a corporate director of CTVglobemedia
and sits on the Panel on Canada's Future Role in Afghanistan, chaired by former cabinet minister John Manley
.
On January 2, 2009, Wallin was appointed to the Senate of Canada on the advice of Prime Minister
Stephen Harper
. A major controversy arose after her appointment when she said she was a big proponent of an elected Senate despite being appointed. She has pledged to step down and run as a candidate when Saskatchewan holds its first Senate election, which Premier Brad Wall
has promised to do. She was also appointed by the Governor-General as an honorary Colonel of the Canadian Air Force
.
, and in 2007 was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
. In 2008, Toastmasters International
announced that Wallin would be that year's winner of their Golden Gavel award, to be presented at their annual conference in August.
Wallin has received 13 honorary degrees, including from Athabasca University
, the University of Lethbridge
and the University of Windsor
.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, SOM
Saskatchewan Order of Merit
The Saskatchewan Order of Merit is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Instituted in 1985 by Lieutenant Governor Frederick Johnson, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier Grant Devine, the order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to...
(born April 10, 1953) is a former Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
television journalist and diplomat. On January 2, 2009, she was seated in the Canadian Senate
Canadian Senate
The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister...
, where she sits as a Conservative
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
.
Early life and career
Wallin was born in WadenaWadena
-Locations:United States*Wadena, Indiana*Wadena, Iowa*Wadena, Minnesota*Wadena Township, MinnesotaCanada*Wadena, Saskatchewan...
, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
, and is of Swedish descent. After obtaining a degree in psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
and political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus (now the University of Regina
University of Regina
The University of Regina is a public research university located in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Founded in 1911 as a private denominational high school of the Methodist Church of Canada, it began an association with the University of Saskatchewan as a junior college in 1925, and was disaffiliated...
), she began her career as a social worker at the Saskatchewan Federal Penitentiary
Saskatchewan Federal Penitentiary
The Saskatchewan Federal Penitentiary is classified as a Medium Security Facility with Maximum Security areas. It is located on a walled 20-acre parcel of land one kilometre west of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada...
. Politically, she was a member of The Waffle
The Waffle
The Waffle was a radical wing of Canada's New Democratic Party in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It later transformed into an independent political party, with little electoral success before it permanently disbanded in the mid-1970s...
, a left wing faction of the New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
. She has no children of her own, however, she has one goddaughter.
Journalism
The following year, she began her career in journalism, joining CBC RadioCanadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
's news division. In 1979, she joined the Ottawa bureau of the Toronto Star
Toronto Star
The Toronto Star is Canada's highest-circulation newspaper, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its print edition is distributed almost entirely within the province of Ontario...
. In 1981, she joined CTV
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
and became cohost, with Norm Perry
Norm Perry
Norm Perry is a retired broadcast journalist. He worked for CBC Radio affiliate CKOY in Ottawa as a reporter and interviewer in the late 1950s with some of his work being picked up by the main network on programs such as Assignment. By the early 1960s he was working for the CBC in Toronto...
, of Canada AM
Canada AM
Canada AM is a Canadian breakfast television news show, which has aired on the CTV Television Network since 1972. It is currently hosted by Beverly Thomson and Seamus O'Regan, with Marci Ien reporting from the headline news desk and Jeff Hutcheson presenting the weather forecast and sports...
. In 1985, CTV named her its Ottawa bureau chief. She later rejoined Canada AM, hosting alongside J.D. Roberts.
In 1992, CBC Television
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
hired Wallin in a highly publicized move. For many years, The National had been followed by a 40-minute nightly newsmagazine, hosted by Barbara Frum
Barbara Frum
Barbara Frum, OC was a Canadian radio and television journalist, acclaimed for her interviews for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.-Personal life:...
, called The Journal. However, as a result of Frum's death in February 1992, the CBC wanted to revamp and reposition its entire approach to news programming.
In the fall of that year, Wallin and Peter Mansbridge
Peter Mansbridge
Peter Mansbridge, OC , a Canadian broadcaster and news anchor, is the CBC News Chief Correspondent and anchor of The National, CBC Television's flagship nightly newscast. Mansbridge has received many awards and accolades for his journalistic work including an honorary doctorate from Mount Allison...
debuted as the cohosts of Prime Time News
Prime Time News
thumb|Title screen used from 1992 to 1994. A different opening used for the 1994-95 season was essentially identical to the open used by The National from 1995-97...
. Instead of the old segregation of Mansbridge reading the news on The National, followed by Frum introducing documentary and current affairs features and interviewing newsmakers on The Journal, the new show featured Wallin and Mansbridge as equal hosts of the whole package. As well, the new show aired at 9 p.m., one hour earlier than the old National/Journal tandem.
The show fared poorly in the ratings, and by 1994, had returned to its old format and time slot, with Mansbridge reading the news, followed by Wallin hosting a magazine segment which eventually took on the name The National Magazine. In 1995, Wallin was replaced as host of The Magazine by Hana Gartner
Hana Gartner
Hana Gartner is a Canadian television investigative journalist, best known as the host/interviewer of several programs for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation....
.
Following her dismissal from CBC News, Wallin created her own production company, and launched a daily interview series called Pamela Wallin Live
Pamela Wallin Live
Pamela Wallin Live was a Canadian interview series which aired on CBC Newsworld from 1995 to 1999. It was hosted by Pamela Wallin.Following her highly publicized firing from the CBC's Prime Time News in 1995, Wallin formed her own production company and launched the series...
. Airing on CBC Newsworld
CBC Newsworld
CBC News Network is a Canadian English language Category C specialty news channel owned and operated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation . It broadcasts into over 10 million homes in Canada. It is the world's third-oldest television service of this nature, after CNN in the United States and...
and, in some years, on the CBC's main network as well, Pamela Wallin Live was a highly successful series which featured Wallin interviewing newsmakers, celebrities and other interesting personalities in a manner similar to CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
's Larry King Live
Larry King Live
Larry King Live is an American talk show hosted by Larry King on CNN from 1985 to 2010. It was CNN's most watched and longest-running program, with over one million viewers nightly....
. The show ran for four years before Wallin moved to the cable network TalkTV.
In 2000, Wallin hosted the Canadian edition of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? is a television game show which offers large cash prizes for correctly answering a series of multiple-choice questions of increasing difficulty. The format is owned and licensed by Sony Pictures Television International. The maximum cash prize is one million pounds...
. She was criticized by some observers for compromising her journalistic integrity, but noted in response that as an interviewer and television producer, she was no longer working as a journalist in the traditional sense of the word.
In 2001, Wallin, along with then-Foreign Affairs Minister John Manley
John Manley (politician)
John Paul Manley, PC, OC is a Canadian lawyer, businessman and politician. He served as Liberal Member of Parliament for Ottawa South from 1988 to 2004, and a Cabinet Minister from 1993 to 2003. He is presently President and CEO of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives.-Background:Manley was...
, was one of the organizers of the "Canada Loves New York" rally for Canadians to show their support after the September 11, 2001 attacks
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
(Manley ran in the New York City Marathon
New York City Marathon
The New York City Marathon is a major annual marathon that courses through the five boroughs of New York City. It is one of the largest marathons in the world, with 45,103 finishers in 2010...
in 2001, a contributing factor to organize the rally). In 2003, Wallin and Senator Jerry Grafstein
Jerry Grafstein
Jerahmiel S. "Jerry" Grafstein is a former Canadian Senator and lawyer.He is married to Carole and has two children, Laurence Stephen and Michael Kevin....
were honored by the Canadian Society of New York for their ongoing commitment to strengthening the ties between Canada and the United States. In 2001, Wallin spoke publicly about her battle
Battle
Generally, a battle is a conceptual component in the hierarchy of combat in warfare between two or more armed forces, or combatants. In a battle, each combatant will seek to defeat the others, with defeat determined by the conditions of a military campaign...
with colon cancer.
Wallin has also published two books, Since You Asked (ISBN 978-0679310082) and Speaking of Success (ISBN 1552633705), and has made cameo appearances on the Canadian comedy series Royal Canadian Air Farce
Royal Canadian Air Farce
Air Farce Live, also credited as Air Farce, previously Royal Canadian Air Farce, and Air Farce—Final Flight! for the final season, was a Canadian comedy series starring the comedy troupe The Royal Canadian Air Farce that previously starred in an eponymous radio show on CBC radio from 1973 to 1997...
and Corner Gas
Corner Gas
Corner Gas is a Canadian television sitcom created by Brent Butt. The series ran for six seasons from 2004 to 2009. Re-runs still air on CTV and The Comedy Network in Canada; it formerly aired on WGN America in the United States....
.
Diplomatic and academic appointments
On June 25, 2002, Wallin's television career came to an end when Prime MinisterPrime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
Jean Chrétien
Jean Chrétien
Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....
advised Governor General
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
Adrienne Clarkson
Adrienne Clarkson
Adrienne Louise Clarkson is a Canadian journalist and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 26th since Canadian Confederation....
to appoint Wallin to a four-year term as Canada's Consul General in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, her first diplomatic posting. Afterward she became a senior advisor to the president of the Americas Society and the Council of the Americas
Council of the Americas
Council of the Americas is an American business organization whose goal is promoting free trade, democracy and open markets throughout the Americas. This includes Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, as well as South America. Its members share a common commitment to economic and social development,...
in New York.
In March 2007, she was appointed the seventh Chancellor
Chancellor (education)
A chancellor or vice-chancellor is the chief executive of a university. Other titles are sometimes used, such as president or rector....
of the University of Guelph
University of Guelph
The University of Guelph, also known as U of G, is a comprehensive public research university in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1964 after the amalgamation of Ontario Agricultural College, the Macdonald Institute, and the Ontario Veterinary College...
, being installed in June of the same year, and she is also now a corporate director of CTVglobemedia
CTVglobemedia
CTVglobemedia , was one of Canada's largest private media companies. Its operations include newspaper publishing , television broadcasting and production , radio broadcasting , and their respective Internet properties.Originally established by BCE and the Thomson family in 2001 combining CTV Inc.,...
and sits on the Panel on Canada's Future Role in Afghanistan, chaired by former cabinet minister John Manley
John Manley
John Manley may refer to:* John Manley , English soldier, MP and Postmaster General* John Manley, Canadian politician* John Manley , British archaeologist* John H. Manley, American nuclear physicist...
.
On January 2, 2009, Wallin was appointed to the Senate of Canada on the advice of Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
. A major controversy arose after her appointment when she said she was a big proponent of an elected Senate despite being appointed. She has pledged to step down and run as a candidate when Saskatchewan holds its first Senate election, which Premier Brad Wall
Brad Wall
Bradley John "Brad" Wall, MLA is a Canadian politician who has been the 14th Premier of Saskatchewan since November 21, 2007....
has promised to do. She was also appointed by the Governor-General as an honorary Colonel of the Canadian Air Force
Canadian Forces Air Command
The Royal Canadian Air Force , formerly Canadian Forces Air Command, is one of three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
.
Honours
In 1994, her home town of Wadena, Saskatchewan named its major street Pamela Wallin Drive in her honour. In 1999, she was inducted into the Saskatchewan Order of MeritSaskatchewan Order of Merit
The Saskatchewan Order of Merit is a civilian honour for merit in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Instituted in 1985 by Lieutenant Governor Frederick Johnson, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier Grant Devine, the order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to...
, and in 2007 was made an Officer of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
. In 2008, Toastmasters International
Toastmasters International
Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of helping members improve their communication, public speaking and leadership skills...
announced that Wallin would be that year's winner of their Golden Gavel award, to be presented at their annual conference in August.
Wallin has received 13 honorary degrees, including from Athabasca University
Athabasca University
Athabasca University is a Canadian university in Athabasca, Alberta. It is an accredited research institution which also offers distance education courses and programs. Courses are offered primarily in English with some French offerings. Each year, 32,000 students attend the university. It offers...
, the University of Lethbridge
University of Lethbridge
The University of Lethbridge is a publicly-funded comprehensive academic and research university, founded in the liberal education tradition, located in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, with two other urban campuses in Calgary and Edmonton. The main building sits among the coulees on the west side of...
and the University of Windsor
University of Windsor
The University of Windsor is a public comprehensive and research university in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's southernmost university. It has a student population of approximately 15,000 full-time and part-time undergraduate students and over 1000 graduate students...
.