Early Life

Born in Sussex, England, in 1943, Peter Kent immigrated to Canada with his family, eventually settling in Alberta. His father became associate editor at the Calgary Herald, while his mother served as a judge on Alberta's Court of Queen’s Bench. Raised in a family with strong ties to journalism and public service, Kent was drawn to the field early, as were his younger brother and wife, both of whom also pursued journalism careers.

Broadcast Journalism Career

Kent began his career in radio journalism during the 1960s before transitioning to television. In 1965, he took a position with CFCN-TV in Calgary. Over the years, he worked with major networks including CTV, CBC Television, NBC, Global, and the Christian Science Monitor. His career as a foreign correspondent was marked by notable international coverage. In the mid-1960s, Kent reported extensively on the Vietnam War, remaining there through the final withdrawal of American troops in 1973. He also reported on the rise of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia in 1975.

Upon returning to Canada, Kent joined CBC as a journalist, later helping to launch a news program in 1982 as a founding producer and correspondent. In 1984, he moved to the United States to work with NBC as a senior European correspondent, earning four Emmy nominations for his reporting. He continued his work in international affairs with The Christian Science Monitor, where his reporting on urban poverty in the U.S. earned him the Robert F. Kennedy Award for Journalism.

Kent returned to Canadian broadcasting in 1992 as anchor of Global News' national evening program, First National, a role he held until 2001. He followed this by hosting the business news program MoneyWise on Global and Prime Television.

Entry into Canadian Politics

Peter Kent first entered federal politics in the 2006 election but was unsuccessful in winning a seat. He ran again in 2008 and was elected as MP for Thornhill, defeating his opponent by over 5,000 votes. In 2011, Kent was appointed Minister of the Environment in a cabinet reshuffle under Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government.

While serving as Environment Minister, Kent faced controversy for several decisions. Among the most significant was Canada's withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol, a move criticized by environmental advocates. Kent also supported the development of Alberta's oil sands despite concerns highlighted in reports pointing to contamination of the Athabasca River. These and other policy stances brought scrutiny from political opponents and environmental groups, shaping the public perception of his tenure in the role.

Affiliations and Recognitions

Peter Kent is affiliated with several organizations. He is a member of the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame and serves on the board of HonestReporting Canada, a media watchdog group known for its pro-Israel stance. Kent also supported the founding of Canadians for Defence and Security and holds the position of co-chair of the Ontario Cabinet for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

In recognition of his contributions to journalism, Kent received the President's Award from the Radio-Television News Directors Association of Canada in 2006. He is also the father of Trilby Kent, an accomplished writer whose debut novel, Medina Hill, was published in 2009.