John Downing

For other uses, see John Downing (disambiguation).

John Henry Downing
President, Canadian National Exhibition
In office October, 1999 – October 2001
Preceded by	Robert Bowman
Succeeded by	Debra Woodman
Personal details
Born	(1936-06-10) June 10, 1936 (age 88) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Spouse	Mary Horvat (1962-present)
Children	3; John Henry III, Brett D., Mark
Alma mater	Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (Bachelor of Applied Arts 1972)
Website	http://blog.johndowning.ca/

John Downing (born 1936) is an author, reporter, editor and columnist, most notably writing for the Toronto Telegram and later the Toronto Sun.

Journalism

He was editor of the Whitehorse Star in 1957, and reporter and editor on the Toronto Telegram from 1958 to 1971. He was a "Day Oner"^[1][2] of the Toronto Sun first as city hall columnist and then as the Editor from 1985 to 1997.

Professional associations

John Downing has been president of the Canadian National Exhibition,^[3] Toronto Press Club and Press Clubs of Canada, and director and governor of the Toronto Outdoor Art Show, Runnymede Health Care Centre,^[4] Exhibition Place, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority,^[5] Ontario Safety League, Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

Safety

He has written chapters for books on the CNE and Toronto politics, two political biographies, and articles for Time, Macleans and other publications. He appeared on the CBC, CityTV, the Global Television Network, CFTR (AM) and CFRB.

Downing has been credited with popularizing the term "Red Rocket" for the Toronto Transit Corporation's (TTC) streetcars.^[6]

Images

• 
  Clinton and Downing

Chronology

• 1957 - Downing joins Whitehorse Star as Editor
• 1958 - Downing joins the Toronto Telegram first as Reporter then City Editor and Managing Editor
• 1971 - Downing joins the Toronto Sun as a columnist
• 1985 - Downing becomes Toronto Sun Editor
• 1999 - Downing becomes President of Canadian National Exhibition Association

Publications

• Phillips, Nathan and Downing, John. Mayor of All the People, McClelland & Stewart Canada, 1967.
• Downing, John. "Ryerson University - A Unicorn Among Horses" John Downing (April 17 2017), Canada, 2017.

References

1. "Brothers and Sisters Always: The Sun's Day Oners..." Toronto Sun. 2008-08-28.
2. "5,000 Columns later: Sun's birth like a family birthday". Toronto Sun. 2008-08-28.
3. "Board of Directors". The Ex. 2009.
4. "Board of Directors and Annual Members of the Corporation 2009-2010". Runnymede Healthcare Centre.
5. "TCRA Honour Roll Awards". Toronto and Region Conservation. 1986. Archived from the original on 2009-09-25.
6. "FAQ - Streetcars". Transit Toronto. 2008.

External links

• John Downing's Blog