Joan Leishman, Esteemed CBC Correspondent and Advocate for Exiled Journalists, Dies in Toronto
Toronto, ON — Joan Leishman, a distinguished journalist with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and a steadfast ally to exiled writers, has died in Toronto. She was 70. Her cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
Leishman’s career with the CBC spanned several decades and continents, marked by in-depth foreign reporting and a personal commitment to humanitarian causes. Her work took her to the frontlines of some of the most pivotal global events of the late 20th century, including the 1994 Rwandan genocide and South Africa’s historic transition from apartheid to democracy.
She served as CBC Television’s Latin American Bureau Chief based in Mexico City and later established CBC Radio’s first Africa bureau. There, she covered some of the continent’s most complex and consequential stories—often in dangerous, high-stakes environments that few newsrooms would take on today.
“Joan did the kind of journalism that’s nearly impossible now,” said CBC journalist Gavin Day. “She covered stories that mattered globally—without parachuting in, without ego. She stayed, listened, and told them right.”
As newsrooms have scaled back foreign coverage and shifted to faster, more reactive news cycles, Leishman’s in-depth, on-the-ground approach now stands as a testament to an era of journalism rooted in context, care, and credibility.
But beyond her high-profile reporting, Leishman is being remembered just as much for her off-air legacy: mentoring writers and journalists forced into exile.
“Joan was a kind soul and a tireless supporter of exiled writers,” wrote Gezahegn Mekonnen, a close friend and media advocate. “She stood by those who had been forced to flee their homelands—not just offering support, but dignity, friendship, and hope.”
In recent years, Leishman became deeply involved in supporting newcomers in Canada’s journalism and human rights communities, often working quietly behind the scenes. Her advocacy included mentorship, volunteer work, and helping writers reestablish their voices in a new country.
Those who knew her in the newsroom also recall her warmth and humility. Weekend shifts on World Report often meant early mornings—but also potlucks, soup, and conversations led by Joan.
“She made work feel human,” Day recalled. “I found out she was a birder. We tried several times to go out together, but our schedules never aligned. I’ll always regret that we never made it happen. Make time for people—you think you have more of it than you do.”
Leishman’s legacy is carried not just in archives and broadcasts, but in the careers she uplifted, the lives she helped stabilize, and the quiet strength with which she practiced both journalism and citizenship.
She is survived by her daughters, grandchildren, and a wide circle of friends and colleagues across Canada and beyond.
A Loss Felt Beyond the CBC
Leishman’s passing has resonated across Canada’s media landscape, particularly among foreign correspondents and advocates for press freedom. In a time when the role of international reporting is shrinking, her career reminds us why global storytelling still matters.
It also shines a light on Canada’s quiet but vital role as a safe haven for exiled journalists. Leishman didn’t just help them survive—she helped them find community and purpose again.
As CBC prepares a tribute to her career, her name will remain synonymous with integrity, courage, and kindness—in journalism, and in life.
Details about Joan Leishman’s memorial or public tributes are expected to be announced by the CBC in the coming days.
