The Honourable Beverley J. Oda Remembers Joan Donaldson

By the Honourable Beverley J. Oda Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women

I was saddened to hear of the recent death of Joan Donaldson.

Ms. Donaldson's accomplishments were many. From her first job as a switchboard operator in a radio newsroom, she rose to editor of radio news at the CBC and then moved on to television, where she worked as a producer, coordinator of regional programming, and finally as the first head of Newsworld. For many years, she helped shape a new generation of broadcast journalists, sharing her wisdom and experience with her students at Ryerson University and the University of Western Ontario.

Her vision of relating the stories of Canadians across the country to bring us together inspired many of us. Her passion for sharing perspectives from all regions of Canada left a profound influence on how we now approach broadcasting.

As Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, I express my condolences on behalf of all Canadians to the family members and friends of Joan Donaldson. She was an inspirational leader within the broadcasting industry and a role model for women who followed her.

Information:

Véronique Bruneau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women
819 997-7788

[ Media Room ]