Pamela Wallin

Pamela Wallin, OC, SOM (born 2 January 1953) is a Canadian television journalist and diplomat of Swedish descent. She was born in Wadena, Saskatchewan.

After obtaining a degree in psychology and political science from the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus (now the University of Regina), she began her career as a social worker at the Saskatchewan Federal Penitentiary. The following year, she began her career in journalism, joining CBC Radio's news division.

In 1979, she joined the Ottawa bureau of the Toronto Star. In 1981, she joined CTV and became cohost, with Norm Perry, of Canada AM. In 1985, CTV named her its Ottawa bureau chief. She later rejoined Canada AM, hosting alongside J.D. Roberts.

In 1992, the CBC hired Wallin in a highly publicized move. For many years, The National had been followed by a 40-minute nightly newsmagazine, hosted by Barbara Frum, called The Journal. However, as a result of Frum's death in February 1992, the CBC wanted to revamp and reposition its entire approach to news programming.

In the fall of that year, Wallin and Peter Mansbridge debuted as the cohosts of Prime Time News. Instead of the old segregation of Mansbridge reading the news on The National, followed by Frum introducing documentary and current affairs features and interviewing newsmakers on The Journal, the new show featured Wallin and Mansbridge as equal hosts of the whole package. As well, the new show aired at 9 p.m., one hour earlier than the old National/Journal tandem.