Peter Kent was born on July 27, 1943 (82 years old) in Sussex, England. He is a retired Canadian journalist, broadcaster, and former politician.
He is best known for a 40+ year career in news, working with major networks like CBC News, CTV, Global, and NBC. He anchored CBC Television’s The National, later worked as a producer on The National, and was also a founding producer and correspondent for CBC’s The Journal.
Kent later moved into federal politics. He served as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Thornhill and was Canada’s Minister of the Environment from 2011 to 2013 in Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government.
Over these years, he has worked in many newsroom roles, as a producer, correspondent, and editor, across both Canadian and US broadcasters.
Keep reading Peter Kent’s Wiki to learn more about his life, family, education, career, awards, and facts.
Quick Facts of Peter Kent
| Full Name | James Peter Kent |
| Profession | Retired Canadian journalist, broadcaster, and former politician |
| Age | 82 years old |
| Date of Birth | July 27, 1943 |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Leo |
| Birthplace | Sussex, United Kingdom |
| Current Address | Markham, Ontario, Canada |
| Gender | Male |
Peter Kent Early Life and Education
Peter Kent was born in Sussex, England, in a Canadian Army hospital. Both of his parents were serving with the Canadian Army at the time. His family later moved to Canada. After time in Ottawa, they settled in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
Education
Peter Kent attended Viscount Bennett High School in Calgary, Alberta (he was in the Class of 1961).
After high school, he studied briefly in the Canadian Navy Venture Program at the dockyard in Esquimalt, British Columbia. He also received a commission in the Army Reserve in 1963 (150 Company, RCASC) in Calgary.
However, it is not confirmed if he has a university degree or the highest academic qualification, so those parts are still to be updated.
| School | Viscount Bennett High School, Calgary |
| Alma Mater | Yet to be updated |
| Highest Qualification | Yet to be updated |
Peter Kent Personal Life
Peter Kent is married to Cilla Kent, who previously worked as a print journalist with South Africa’s Argus newspaper group and also worked as an English teacher. The couple has been married for over 26 years.
Daughter
Peter and Cilla have one child, a daughter named Trilby Kent.
Father
His father was Arthur Parker Kent, who worked with the Southam Newspaper Group and later retired as an associate editor of the Calgary Herald.
Mother
His mother was Aileen Marie Kent (née Fears).
Siblings
Peter has a younger brother, Arthur Kent (journalist), and three sisters: Adele, Norma, and Susan.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Cilla Kent |
| Children | Trilby Kent |
| Parents | Father: Arthur Parker Kent Mother: Aileen Marie Kent |
| Siblings | Brother: Arthur Kent, Sisters: Adele, Norma, Susan |
Peter Kent Career
Peter Kent began working in journalism in the early 1960s. He started in radio and then moved into television. In 1965, he joined Calgary station CFCN-TV and later worked with major networks such as CBC Television, CTV, Global, and NBC, along with other outlets.
At CBC Television, Kent worked as a producer on The National and later became the program’s main anchor from 1976 to 1978. He took over the anchor role after Lloyd Robertson (anchor from 1970 to 1976) and was later followed by Knowlton Nash (anchor from 1978 to 1988).
Kent returned to CBC in 1982 as a founding producer and correspondent for The Journal. He also served at times as a co-host or guest host. The show’s original hosts were Barbara Frum and Mary Lou Finlay, and other hosts or guest hosts linked with the program include Bill Cameron, Keith Morrison, and Brian Stewart.
He also worked with The Christian Science Monitor’s World Monitor TV news service, where he reported and served as a backup anchor alongside John Hart and John Palmer.
Later, at Global News, he was the host and anchor of the network’s flagship national newscast, First National, until February 2001. He also co-hosted the business news program MoneyWise.
After broadcasting, Kent entered politics. He served as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Thornhill from 2008 to 2021 and was Canada’s Minister of the Environment from 2011 to 2013.
Peter Kent Awards and Achievements
- Inducted into the CAB Broadcast Hall of Fame (2000).
- Four Emmy nominations for his work with NBC (as reported in public biographies).
- Robert F. Kennedy Award for a feature report series on challenges in American inner cities (as listed in his public biography).
- Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012).
Peter Kent Controversies
- CBC and The National (1978): Peter Kent stepped down as anchor of The National after he submitted to the CRTC, which raised concerns about political interference in CBC editorial decisions.
- Kyoto Protocol withdrawal (December 2011): As Environment Minister, Kent announced Canada would withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol. He said the move would save Canada about $14 billion in penalties for missing targets.
- Durban climate conference comments (December 2011): In the House of Commons, he criticized NDP environment critic Megan Leslie for not attending the Durban climate talks.
- 2015 election tweet about refugees: During the 2015 campaign, Kent tweeted an image claiming it showed an ISIS fighter posing as a refugee. The claim was debunked, and he deleted/retracted the post.
- Comments comparing cannabis and fentanyl (2017): In an interview, he said kids could end up “just as dead” from cannabis-related accidents as from fentanyl, and later said it was an exaggeration.
Peter Kent Net worth
The estimated net worth and annual salary of Peter Kent are yet to be updated.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
| Salary (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
Peter Kent Height, Weight, and Physical States
Peter Kent has dark brown hair with some grey hairs and hazel-brown eyes. Other details like his height, weight, and body measurements are yet to be updated.
| 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 | Dark brown with grey |
| Eye Color | Hazel-brown |
Peter Kent Facebook, LinkedIn
 @PeterKentMP | |
 @hon peter kent pc mp |
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FAQs
Who is Peter Kent?
Peter Kent is a retired Canadian journalist and former politician. He was a TV news anchor and later served as a Conservative Member of Parliament.
What is the age of journalist Peter Kent?
Peter Kent is 82 years old. He was born on July 27, 1943, in Sussex, England.
Who is Peter Kent’s wife?
Peter Kent is married to Cilla Kent.
Does Peter Kent have children?
Yes, Peter Kent has one daughter, Trilby Kent.
What TV news shows is Peter Kent known for?
Peter Kent is known for his work linked with CBC Television’s The National, and he also worked on CBC’s The Journal.
When was Peter Kent an MP, and what riding did he represent?
Peter Kent was the Member of Parliament for Thornhill from 2008 to 2021.
Was Peter Kent a cabinet minister?
Yes, Peter Kent served as Minister of the Environment from January 4, 2011, to July 15, 2013.
