TORONTO – RTDNA Canada will recognize three individuals in the Central region with lifetime achievement awards next month.
Keith Leslie from The Canadian Press, Rogers 680 News’ Scott Metcalfe and CTV Montreal’s Mutsumi Takahashi will be honoured on May 26 during the President’s Reception at the 2017 National Conference & Awards Gala for outstanding service and continued excellence during the course of their careers in journalism and news management.
Keith Leslie (pictured right) began his broadcast career at CKOC in Hamilton in 1977 while he was still in college, before moving to CFTJ in Cambridge and then to CKLC in Kingston, working as a reporter/weekend anchor in both cities. His career with CP began in 1981 when he was hired as a newscaster, but he made his mark at Queen’s Park covering the governments of Bill Davis, Frank Miller, David Peterson and Bob Rae. Over the next 10 years, he went from GA reporter to desker to a supervising editor at Broadcast News to music writer to deputy news director. There was little that Leslie didn't do for CP, in broadcast and print, all of it with style and enthusiasm, and after 35 years at The Canadian Press, he retired at the end of 2016.
In addition, Leslie was a long-time member of what was then known as the Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTDNA) where he held the role of treasurer, helped organize the 1997 national convention in Toronto, and later became a member of the RTNDF Foundation board.
Scott Metcalfe (pictured below) began his broadcasting career 41 years ago at CHAB Radio in Moose Jaw, SK followed by a stint at CHED in Edmonton, and, after a brief stopover in London, ON, he arrived in Toronto and at CJCL. He started as the Queen’s Park reporter, then became a news anchor and eventually was appointed news director.
In 1992 CJCL became The Fan 590, Canada’s first all-sports radio station, and Metcalfe was appointed sports director and executive producer. He has continued to host a weekly golf show on Sportsnet 590 The Fan since 1999. The Fan eventually joined the Rogers Broadcasting family of radio stations, and Metcalfe was appointed news director of 680 News in 2003.
Mutsumi Takahashi is celebrating her 30th year as chief anchor of Montreal's top-rated English newscast where she has strengthened and consolidated CFCF/CTV's position for English speaking Quebecers. Mutsumi has also been involved in benevolent work in the community since her career began, by volunteering her time to support countless community groups and charities, most notably serving alongside Jean Beliveau as co-chair of the McGill University Hospital Centre fundraising campaign. She was also recently recognized with an honorary doctorate from her alma mater, Concordia University.
