Kirk LaPointe

Kirk LaPointe (born December 12, 1957)[1] is a Canadian journalist and politician.

Early life

LaPointe was born in Toronto where he was raised by a single mother in what he describes as poverty conditions. He was educated at New Toronto Secondary School and Ryerson Polytechnical Institute where he earned a Bachelors in Journalism[1] and was a broadcaster at campus station CKLN-FM.[2]

Career

He has been managing editor at the Vancouver Sun (2003-2010), senior senior vice-president (news) at CTV (2000-2002), and executive editor at National Post (1998-1999).[1] He was editor-in-chief of the Hamilton Spectator from 1997 until 1998 when he was hired by the Post before returning to the Spectator in 2000 to serve as editor and associate publisher.[3] LaPointe was a host on CBC Newsworld from the station's inception in 1989 until 1995.[4] From 2010 to 2012 he was ombudsman for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.[5] He was subsequently executive director of the Organization of News Ombudsmen.[5]

LaPointe spent much of his career at Canadian Press, beginning as a general assignment reporter and editor in Toronto in 1980 and working variously at the agency's parliamentary bureau, communications and tranportation reporter, fitness columnist, lifestyles editor and news editor until leaving in 1989. He returned in 1991 to serve as bureau chief and then as general news editor before leaving in 1995 for Southam News.[4]

Mayoral campaign

In July 2014, he was chosen by the Non-Partisan Association, a municipal political party in Vancouver, to be the party's nominee for Mayor of Vancouver in the November 15, 2014 municipal election.[6][5] Lapointe received 40% of the vote, coming in second behind incumbent mayor Gregor Robertson who received 46%.[7]

Following his defeat, LaPointe said he intends to put politics “in the rear view mirror” and is uninterested in running in being a candidate in a future election saying “I recognize it comes with a physical, emotional toll, and I’m not sure I want to experience that any time soon.”[8]

Current activities

LaPointe is currently an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia Graduate School of Journalism teaching ethics and leadership[5] and publisher and editor-in-chief of Self-Counsel Press.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "The facts: Kirk LaPointe vs. Gregor Robertson". Vancouver Sun. July 15, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  2. ↑ http://www.ryersonian.ca/a-timeline-of-ryersons-radio-history-1949-2014/ "CKLN jockey Kirk LaPointe with recording artist Ronny Abramson, 1978."
  3. ↑ http://www.journalism.ryerson.ca/m3983/
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://ca.linkedin.com/in/kirklapointe
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Vancouver mayoral race to include former media executive". Globe and Mail. July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Career journalist among Vancouver NPA’s mayoral candidates". Globe and Mail. June 2, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  7. ↑ http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/gregor-robertson-re-elected-mayor-of-vancouver-1.2103740
  8. ↑ "Despite exciting race, Non-Partisan Association’s Kirk LaPointe admits defeat". Vancouver Sun. November 16, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2014.