Mary Lou Finlay

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Mary Lou Finlay (born 1944) is a Canadian journalist who hosted the CBC Radio One news program As It Happens from September 1, 1997 until November 30, 2005.

Finlay graduated from the University of Ottawa in 1967 with a BA in English and French literature. For three years she did writing and researching for the Canadian War Museum before her leap to journalism when she began hosting a CBC Ottawa television magazine.

In 1975, Finlay moved to Toronto to co-host CBC Television's Take 30. She hosted her own program, Finlay and Company, in 1976 and 1977 and developed a loyal following.

In 1978 she moved to CTV to co-host and produce the award-winning Live It Up!.

In 1981 she became co-host with Barbara Frum of CBC Television's nightly current affairs program, The Journal. After the program's first year, Frum remained as host and Finlay became a documentary reporter, remaining with the program until 1988. In that year she became host of CBC Radio's current affairs program Sunday Morning, where she remained until the spring of 1994. From 1994 to 1997, she hosted Now The Details, CBC Radio's weekly media watchdog program.

Finlay became co-host with Barbara Budd of As It Happens on 1 September 1997, having to cover the death of Diana, Princess of Wales on her first day. She retired following her last appearance on 30 November 2005, which was a tribute show for Finlay celebrating her years with the CBC.

Finlay is now a fellow with the Centre for the Study of Democracy at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.