Early Life and Beginnings in Journalism

Mike Duffy, born Michael Dennis Duffy on May 27, 1946, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, is a veteran Canadian journalist and former Senator. He began his career in the mid-1960s as a radio jockey at CFCY-TV in Charlottetown. Transitioning to print journalism, he worked with The Guardian, a Charlottetown-based newspaper, before returning to broadcast media at CFCF in Montreal.

By 1969, Duffy had become an assignment editor and, in 1971, joined CFRA radio in Ottawa as a political reporter. His move to Ottawa marked the beginning of his extensive coverage of Canadian politics.

Broadcast Career and Political Reporting

In 1974, Duffy joined CBC Radio's Parliament Hill bureau and, by 1977, became a television reporter for The National. Known for his analytical reporting and deep knowledge of Canadian politics, Duffy covered key developments in the governments of Joe Clark, Pierre Trudeau, and Brian Mulroney. He also served as CBC's lead parliamentary reporter for a number of years.

Notably, in April 1975, Duffy reported from South Vietnam during the final days before the Fall of Saigon. He was among the last journalists to leave the country before the arrival of North Vietnamese troops and the Viet Cong, giving CBC viewers rare insights from the ground during a pivotal moment in global history.

Rise at CTV and "Ottawa Insider" Persona

In 1988, Duffy joined Baton Broadcasting and became the first anchor of its Sunday morning news program. That show ran until 1999. He later moved to CTV News Channel, where he gained national attention through programs such as Countdown with Mike Duffy and Mike Duffy Live.

Duffy's strong presence on CTV earned him the nickname “Ottawa Insider.” Through his programs, he conducted numerous interviews with prominent Canadian politicians and commentators, offering viewers insightful perspectives on national political affairs.

Parliament Hill Programming and Transition to Senate

Mike Duffy also hosted other political shows on CTV, including Parliament Hill, which featured high-profile Canadian political figures and respected commentators. Following his appointment to the Senate in 2008, the program underwent a name change to On the Hill, with Graham Richardson taking over as host. However, the show was short-lived and was soon replaced by Power Play.