Chantal Hebert
National Affairs Columnist - Toronto Star
Politics & Current Events
Chantal Hebert is a distinguished freelance political columnist & bilingual speaker whose insightful analysis and commentary span across radio, television, and print media in both French and English. Hebert’s expertise is regularly showcased through her weekly participation on the political panel at Issue on CBC’s The National, as well as on Peter Mansbridge’s Good Talk podcast on Sirius XM. With a keen understanding of Canadian politics, and a political columnist for the Toronto Star, Hebert has become an established, respected voice in political journalism.
Hebert launched her illustrious career in Toronto in 1975 as a reporter for the regional newsroom of Radio-Canada. She soon advanced to covering Parliament Hill for Radio-Canada radio. Over the years, she has held prestigious roles such as the parliamentary bureau chief for both Le Devoir and La Presse, before becoming a political columnist for the Toronto Star. Her extensive experience and sharp political acumen have made her a trusted commentator in Canadian media. +
An alumna of Glendon College at York University, Hebert has continually pursued academic excellence and intellectual growth. She is a Senior Fellow at Massey College, University of Toronto, and holds honorary degrees from a dozen Canadian universities. These accolades reflect her commitment to education and her significant contributions to the field of political journalism.
Throughout her career, Hebert has been recognized with several notable awards and fellowships. She is a recipient of two Asia-Pacific media fellowships in Malaysia and Japan, which broadened her perspective on international issues. In 2005, she was honored with the APEX Public Service Award, and in 2006, she received both the Hy Solomon Award for excellence in journalism and public policy and York University’s Pinnacle Achievement Bryden Alumni Award. These awards highlight her exceptional skills and dedication to her profession.
In 2012, Chantal Hebert’s outstanding contributions to Canadian society were acknowledged with her appointment to the Order of Canada. Her literary work includes her second book, “The Morning After,” which delves into the 1995 Quebec referendum and was published simultaneously in both official languages in 2015. Her peers in the Parliamentary Press Gallery further recognized her long-standing dedication to covering national issues with the Charles Lynch Award in 2019.
Beyond her professional achievements, Chantal Hebert is known for her deep commitment to public service and her passion for educating the public on political matters. Her work not only informs but also engages and provokes thoughtful discourse, cementing her legacy as a pivotal figure in Canadian political journalism.
In 2024, she received the Michener-Baxter award for excellence in journalism. --
Biographie Française: +
Chantal Hébert est chroniqueuse politique. À ce titre, elle participe régulièrement à diverses émissions d’information à la radio et à la télévision y compris le panel politique hebdomadaire At Issue dans le cadre de The National- le téléjournal de la CBC- et le podcast Good Talk sur Sirius XM animé par Peter Mansbridge.
En français, elle participe aux émissions Les coulisses du pouvoir et Tout un matin à l’antenne de Radio-Canada. Ses chroniques sont publiées chaque mois dans le magazine L’actualité. En journalisme depuis 1975, elle a occupé successivement des postes à la colline parlementaire pour Radio-Canada, Le Devoir et La Presse et le Toronto Star.
Chantal Hébert est diplômée du collège universitaire Glendon de l’Université York. Elle est Senior Fellow au collège Massey de l’Université de Toronto et détient des diplômes honorifiques d’une douzaine d’universités canadiennes, Elle a été boursière de la fondation Asie-Pacifique (Malaisie et Japon) à deux reprises. Elle est récipiendaire de la mention de service public de l’APEX (2005). En 2006 elle a reçu le prix d’excellence en journalisme et politique publique Hyman Solomon et le Pinnacle Achievement Bryden Award de l’Université York.
En 2012, elle a été nommée officier de l’Ordre du Canada. Son deuxième ouvrage intitulé Confessions post-référendaires a été publié simultanément dans les deux langues en 2015. En 2 019, ses collègues de la Tribune de la presse parlementaire lui ont décerné le prix Charles Lynch en reconnaissance de sa couverture de la politique pancanadienne.
En 2024, elle a reçu le prix Michener-Baxter pour excellence en journalisme. --
- Celebrities & Media
- Politics & Current Events
- Trust & Ethics
- Women of Influence
Chantal Hebert Speaking Presentations
Politics & Democracy in the Fake News Era
In this presentation, Chantal shows audiences how fake news affects today’s politics & the entirety of our democratic system. She explores the effect of social media on news consumption, the downfall of print media and the evolution of the democratic press.
Key takeaways:
- The relationship between paid content & fake news.
- How journalists can avoid failures in reporting.
National Affairs: Politics From Coast To Coast
Hebert looks at what’s making news across the country and examines how political developments are impacting Canadians from coast to coast.
For more information, speaking fees and booking Chantal Hébert as your conference keynote speaker, simply contact us.
She was outstanding and exceeded all expectations. Those fortunate enough to attend this sold-out event were enthralled by her boundless insights and masterful delivery.
–Canadian Bar Association
She was outstanding and exceeded all expectations. Those fortunate enough to attend this sold-out event were enthralled by her boundless insights and masterful delivery.
–Canadian Bar Association
You provided a high powered and thought-provoking keynote address that got many delegates thinking about the recent federal election and the political landscape in Canada. As professionals working to advance the cause of education in Canada it was very valuable to get your thoughts on where education stood on the political agenda.
–Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE)