Who Will Replace Peter Mansbridge at The National?

The voice of Canada, Peter Mansbridge dropped a bomb on last night's CBC The National, announcing that he'll be stepping down as anchor of the nightly news show as of July 1, 2017.

The news was not a complete surprise, the celebrated host has been hinting towards retirement, or semi-retirement for awhile, and certainly for those of us who worked with him [I worked at The National for four years] he was even more explicit about preparing to leave the show.

In the weeks and months to come there will be many, many memorials and think pieces about Mansbridge's impact and legacy. He's been part of our national experience for decades, first as a reporter, then anchor and finally chief correspondent at the CBC. Far more knowledgeable people than me will extoll his professional achievements, his leadership at the national broadcaster, and recount his history as one of the country's best known journalists. And of course there will be controversies as well, though in my humble opinion if that's all he's making the CBC is getting one hell of a deal. So I'll save you from reading that here.

But as someone who had the honour of working closely with him for several years, I will add that the person behind the desk is equally, if not more, remarkable. More than just anchoring the CBC's flagship news show, Mansbridge steered the corporation's journalistic ship. He fought for reporters and the braveness of their work, he championed and mentored young people and was never afraid to call out bullshit and encouraged others to do the same. As a boss he is generous and supportive and kind, traits that are rare and getting rarer in our field. His loss at The National will be felt far beyond the confines of the show, it will reverberate throughout the building. He will be impossible to replace and he will be deeply missed.

And while Mansbridge has said he'll continue on in some capacity at the CBC, likely continuing to host specials and big interviews for Mansbridge One on One, The National will be tasked with the onerous feat of putting someone new behind the desk.

Here's a look at some of the contenders in what is sure to be a Game of Thrones-style blood bath.

Wendy Mesley
Mesley's own CBC history is nearly as storied as Mansbridge's, she's a fierce, funny force of nature who has held her own for decades.

Ian Hanomansing
Hanomansing seems like a natural successor and certainly has a similar national appeal.

Andrew Chang
Chang is a charming, local west coast anchor who could serve as an energetic generational shift.

Diana Swain
Swain has a solid investigative background and has gravitas in spades. She's got a host of other programs on the go but would be a natural choice for The National.

Mark Kelley
Kelley is an edgier host than the current incarnation of The National could likely accommodate but in the field has great audience resonance.

Rosie Barton
I mean, this would be awesome, no?

Rotating anchors/Reporters
It's possible the program could ditch the single anchor format and take on a more in-the-field approach. They've already got a heavy-hitting roster of reporters who have done anchoring duty including Paul Hunter and Adrienne Arsenault.

Evan Solomon
LOL JK

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