Former journalists Evan Solomon and Greg Brady are throwing their hats in the ring in the next federal election, which is expected to be called on Sunday.
On Thursday, Solomon announced on LinkedIn that he will be running as a Liberal Party candidate in the next election. He used to host TV and radio shows like the CBC’s “Power & Politics” and radio program “The House,” and in 2016 he started working at CTV News as host and then special correspondent before resigning earlier this year.
In 2015, the notable journalist was fired from CBC after over 20 years of working there following a conflict of interest scandal where he had been reportedly negotiating art deals with sources he had contact with as a journalist.
At the time, the former TV and radio host apologized, saying he didn’t know his art business activities were in conflict with his journalistic work, and claimed he had disclosed his actions to his former employer before he got fired.
One of the deals which was part of the scandal allegedly involved the former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney, who was sworn in as Canadian Prime Minister last week.
Online, reaction to his possible candidacy revealed conflicting opinions with some remembering Solomon as a good journalist while some pointed out the issues that got him fired.
“I always liked Evan Solomon. Always found him to be one of the more fair journalists out there. I wish him well in the election campaign. He’ll likely win his seat,” a user wrote on X.
“So Evan Solomon is now running for the liberal party. Didn’t he get fired for brokering art deals for Mark Carney, like wow, does the corruption ever stop with these guys,” another user pointed out.
RADIO HOST RUNNING FOR THE CONSERVATIVES
Another public figure who has decided to enter the world of politics is radio host Greg Brady, who is running for the Conservative Party in Ajax.
“Here is my announcement from ‘Toronto Today w/ Greg Brady’ from this morning’s show. I’ll save the build-up. I am leaving the show & my amazing work family at 640 Toronto, and am seeking the candidacy for the Conservative Party of Canada, to run in my hometown of Ajax, Ontario,” Brady wrote on X.
Here is my announcement from "Toronto Today w/ Greg Brady" from this morning's show. I'll save the build-up. I am leaving the show & my amazing work family at 640 Toronto, and am seeking the candidacy for the Conservative Party of Canada, to run in my hometown of Ajax, Ontario.…
— Greg Brady (@gregbradyajax) March 18, 2025
The former journalist hosted various shows in 590 The Fan radio network at Sportsnet between 2010 and 2019, and was most recently working at Corus Entertainment’s AM 640 Toronto.
In his announcement, Brady said he decided to run in the upcoming election in a “wake-up call” to “right some wrongs in our country,” and that he expects to work alongside Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
“This isn’t about ‘leaving’ something – it’s about sprinting ‘towards something of critical importance. I believe we can right some wrongs in our country. I think we have had all the wake-up calls we need – in the last 4 months….& in the last 9 1/2 years.”
Earlier today, sources revealed that Carney will probably call an election on Sunday. If that happens, Canadians could be heading to the polls as soon as April 28.
Read More
Canadians also reacted to Brady’s announcement online, showing opposing views on his candidacy.
“Wow! Amazing news! Your listeners will miss you but your country needs you,” a user commented under Brady’s announcement on X.
“No offence to you personally because I don’t know you. Not a good time to run as a conservative. Being a conservative during this time in our history is not the same as it was years ago,” another user said.
NOT THE FIRST TIME JOURNALISTS TURN TO POLITICS
This is not the first time journalists have become involved in politics.
Earlier this year, former CP24 Managing Editor and Anchor Stephanie Smyth was elected MPP in Toronto-St. Paul’s as a Liberal candidate.
Smyth secured the riding for the Liberals after they had lost the seat to the NDPs in the 2018 and 2022 provincial elections when Jill Andrew occupied the seat, breaking the Liberal dominance in the region that lasted over three decades.
Read More
Her profile on the Liberal Party website, says that her journalistic career was built on “integrity and holding politicians accountable,” which enabled her to fight for constituents.
Former Toronto Sun columnist and editor Anthony Furey also turned to politics in the last few years, when he ran and lost in Toronto’s Don Valley West riding during the 2023 mayoral by-election.
Furey, who was the vice-president of editorial and content at the far-right publication True North and a former columnist and editor at Toronto Sun, lost his seat to Rachel Chernos Lin, former local TDSB Trustee.
