Member of the Order of Canada
Awarded on: 2026-04-17
Mary-Deanne Shears, C.M.
Toronto, Ontario
Mary Deanne Shears is a trailblazing journalist whose decisive leadership transformed the Toronto Star. Rising from early reporting roles to become the first woman to serve as managing editor, she shaped groundbreaking journalism, led with authority and integrity, and expanded opportunities for women across Canada’s newsroom landscape.