Marci Ien is a Canadian politician and former TV journalist. She was born on July 29, 1969, (56 years old) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
She is best known for her work with CTV, where she reported and anchored for years, including on CTV Newsnet and the morning show Canada AM.
In 2020, Ien entered federal politics with the Liberal Party and won the Toronto Centre by-election.
She served as the area’s Member of Parliament and also served in the Cabinet as Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth.
Quick Facts of Marci Ien
| Full Name | Marci Ien |
| Profession | Former journalist, TV host, Author, & Politician |
| Age | (56 years old) |
| Date of Birth | July 29, 1969 |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Leo |
| Birthplace | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Current Address | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Gender | Female |
Marci Ien Early Life and Education
Marci Ien was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is a Black Canadian of Trinidadian descent.
She was born in Toronto’s St. James Town area and grew up in Scarborough.
As a child, she appeared regularly on the Christian children’s TV show Circle Square.
Education
Marci attended Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute and Agincourt Collegiate Institute in Scarborough.
Marci Ien graduated from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (now Toronto Metropolitan University) in 1991, with a degree in Radio and Television Arts.
| School | Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute; Agincourt Collegiate Institute |
| Alma Mater | Ryerson Polytechnic Institute (now Toronto Metropolitan University) |
| Highest Qualification | Degree in Radio and Television Arts |
Marci Ien Personal Life
Marci Ien was married to Lloyd Exeter. They were together for almost 20 years of marriage and then got separated. The other details about their marriage and divorce are still to be determined.
Children
Marci Ien lives in Toronto with her two children, a daughter, Blaize Exeter, and a son, Dash Joel Ien Exeter.
Father
Her father’s name is Joel Ien, who was a highly respected lifelong educator, school principal, and superintendent in Toronto.
He moved to Canada in the late 1960s for university and later served in education for decades as a teacher, principal, and school superintendent in the Toronto District School Board.
However, in around 2023, her father passed away.
Mother
Her mother’s name is Vilna Len. She was born in 1938 and passed away in 2024.
She was a Trinidadian immigrant who worked as a Certified General Accountant (CGA). Vilna was the field auditor for the Ontario government’s Corporate Tax branch for 25 years.
| Relationship Status | Separated |
| Ex-husband | Lloyd Exeter |
| Children | Daughter: Blaize Exeter Son: Dash Joel Ien Exeter |
| Parents | Father: Joel Ien Mother: Vilna Len |
Marci Ien Career
Marci Ien began her TV news career in 1991 at CHCH-TV in Hamilton, Ontario, where she worked as a news writer and general assignment reporter.
In 1995, she started reporting from Queen’s Park in Toronto.
In 1997, she joined CTV as a reporter for CTV Atlantic. During this period, she covered major news stories, including the Swissair Flight 111 crash near Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia.
She returned to Toronto in 1998 and anchored CTV Newsnet (CTV’s all-news channel at the time).
Canada AM (CTV)
From 2003, Marci also worked on Canada AM. She was the news anchor from 2003 to 2011, and then became a co-host with Beverly Thomson from 2011 until the show ended in 2016. Along with them, Jeff Hutcheson handled weather and sports during the same period.
Before Marci moved into the co-host role, Seamus O’Regan was a co-host and later left to join CTV National News with Lisa LaFlamme.
The Social (CTV)
After Canada AM, Marci became part of CTV’s daytime talk show The Social. She became a permanent co-host in 2017 and stayed until 2020.
Along with Melissa Grelo, Cynthia Loyst, and Lainey Lui, she discussed daily news, pop culture, and lifestyle topics on the show.
During this period, Jessica Allen was the show’s digital correspondent.
Public Events
Marci also took part in the Halifax leg of the 2010 Winter Olympics torch relay.
Move into Politics
In 2020, she left The Social and entered politics. She won the Toronto Centre federal by-election on October 26, 2020.
Current Work Status
After stepping away from politics, Marci Ien is staying active in her community and working as a speaker.
She has also been involved with Toronto Metropolitan University as an ambassador, and she has spoken about mentoring students.
Marci Ien Awards and Achievements
Marci Ien has received several awards and honours for her work in media and public life.
- 1995: She won a Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) Award for a news series about the Underground Railroad.
- 2008: She received the Harry Jerome Award (Media category) from the Black Business and Professional Association.
- 2014: She received the Planet Africa Award for excellence in media.
- 2015: She received a Canadian Screen Award nomination in the Best Host category for her work on Canada AM.
- 2016: She was honoured with an African Canadian Achievement Award for her journalism work.
- 2025: She received the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Marci Ien Controversies
Marci Ien has been mentioned in the news in a few public disputes and criticism stories.
- Dispute with Toronto police (2018): In February 2018, while she was a TV co-host on The Social, Marci Ien wrote an opinion piece saying she believed race played a role in a traffic stop near her home. Toronto police leaders later disputed her account on social media, and the situation became a public argument covered by media outlets.
- Scrutiny over constituency contracts (reported in 2023): In January 2023, Global News reported that Marci Ien had given two contracts from her constituency budget to a communications firm called Munch More Media in 2021, while the sister of the firm’s owner worked as a senior staffer.
Marci Ien Net Worth
The estimated net worth of Marci Ien ranges between $1 million-$5 million, and her annual salary is $299,900.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $1 million-$5 million |
| Salary (Approx.) | $299,900 |
Marci Ien Height, Weight & Physical Stats
Below are the physical stats of Marci Ien:
| Height | In centimetres: Yet to be updated In meters: Yet to be updated In feet & inches: Yet to be updated |
| Weight | In kg: Yet to be updated In lbs: Yet to be updated |
| Body Measurements | Yet to be updated |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
Marci Ien Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn
 @marci.ien | |
| X |  @MarciIen |
 @Marci Ien | |
 @hon marci ien p c |
More News Anchor From CTV News
FAQs
Who is Marci Ien?
Marci Ien is a Canadian politician and former TV journalist and host.
What is the age of Marci Ien?
Marci Ien is 56 years old. She was born on July 29, 1969, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
What is the qualification of Marci Ien?
Marci Ien studied at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (now Toronto Metropolitan University) and earned a BA in Radio and Television Arts.
Which TV shows is Marci Ien known for?
Marci Ien is known for her work on Canada AM and as a former co-host of The Social, along with earlier work at CTV and CTV Newsnet.
Was Marci Ien a Cabinet minister?
Yes, Marci Ien served as Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth from October 26, 2021, to March 14, 2025.
