Anthony Germain to retire after continent-spanning career at CBC

Anthony Germain hosts On The Go for CBC Radio across Newfoundland and Labrador. (CBC)

For a broadcaster who knows how to keep a close eye on a ticking clock, Anthony Germain says he also knew to listen to his heart — and has chosen to retire after 32 years with CBC News.

"The time feels right," said Germain, who announced his pending retirement to audiences of CBC Radio's On The Go on Tuesday across Newfoundland and Labrador.

"I've done everything I wanted to do in my career.… It's time for a younger journalist to move up and have the kind of career I've been fortunate enough to enjoy."

During his career with the CBC, Germain has hosted CBC Radio's The House, served as the CBC's foreign correspondent in China, and guest-hosted numerous national programs, including The Current and As It Happens.

Germain, who is married to St. John's-raised Doris Cowley, moved to Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011 to host The St. John's Morning Show, which he oversaw for six years. He then co-hosted Here & Now on television for five years, and since 2022 has hosted On The Go.

Germain's chase for the story has taken him numerous places — from nooks and crannies in coastal Newfoundland to 22 different countries.

Many of his most compelling stories came during his five-year stint in China, which Germain described as a "thrilling, nerve-racking roller-coaster of an assignment."

Germain said a couple of stories are particularly memorable. One was covering South African leader Nelson Mandela's 1998 visit to Canada. Another was co-hosting a multi-hour live TV special with Heather Hiscox in 2016 to commemorate the centennial of the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel.

Another memorable story: successfully "begging" rock superstar Bono to appear on The House after he recanted support for then prime minister Paul Martin over a broken promise to increase international aid.

Germain's final week on air will be the week of March 11.

Germain, who turns 60 later this year, says he may be trading in his headphones but won't be putting up his feet.

"I'm certainly not going to stop working," said Germain, who has been teaching journalism courses at the College of St. John's in recent years, in addition to his broadcasting work.

Noting that close teacher friends are retiring "and they think I'm crazy," he said, "I have a deep interest in education [and] I'm pondering something in the educational field … and possibly a podcast."

Germain said he's interested in developing a podcast that takes a critical look at education in Canada. "There's a gap in some of the educational coverage I see," he said.

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