Banff World Television Festival's
ACTRA'S 2006 John Drainie Award to be Presented to
CBC Television's Wendy Mesley

Toronto, Ontario (CANADA) - May 16, 2006 - Honouring her distinguished contribution to broadcasting, ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) and the Banff World Television Festival are pleased to announce CBC's Wendy Mesley as the recipient of ACTRA's 2006 John Drainie Award. The Award will be presented to Ms. Mesley during the Annual Awards Lunch at the Banff World Television Festival on Monday, June 12th, 2006.

"Canada has a proud history of first-rate broadcast journalists as well as superb documentary makers. The members of ACTRA recognize that these creators play an important role with us in furthering English-Canadian culture through the telling of our unique stories," said Richard Hardacre, National President of ACTRA. "Wendy Mesley's amply demonstrated creative vision and sheer journalistic guts make her an ideal recipient of this prestigious award."

Ms. Mesley began her career 30 years ago as a radio reporter in Toronto, moving to television in 1979. In 1985, Ms. Mesley joined The National as a Parliamentary correspondent in Ottawa. She was also a contributor to CBC Television's Sunday Report, and soon after became the show's anchor. She continues to be a frequent back-up anchor for CBC-TV's national news programs.

In 1994, Ms. Mesley helped create and hosted CBC-TV's Gemini Award-winning Undercurrents. Through six seasons, Undercurrents was relevant, intelligent, fast-paced and fearless - a weekly journalistic program that brought the traditional hard reporting of a current affairs show to media culture. Ms. Mesley was awarded Gemini Awards for Best Host in a News or Talk Program or Series in 1999 and 2001 for her work on Undercurrents. The show won a Gemini for Best Information Program and garnered a Gold Medal for Best Magazine Format at the New York Festival's International Television Awards. In 2001, Ms. Mesley worked on CBC Television's investigative program, CBC News: Disclosure. In 2002, she joined CBC News: Marketplace as the Toronto-based co-host, winning another Gemini for Best Host in 2005. Ms. Mesley has grown to be one of Canada's most recognized and esteemed broadcast journalists, noted for her energy, tenacity and strong wit.

"Wendy Mesley is one of Canada's most respected broadcast journalists. We are thrilled to be presenting this award to someone who exuberates the passion for journalism that Ms. Mesley does," said Mary Powers, Chair, Banff Television Festival Foundation.

ACTRA's John Drainie Award has been presented annually since 1968 to a person who has made a distinguished contribution to Canadian broadcasting. John Drainie, one of Canada's most celebrated and well-known actors, died in 1966. Ms. Mesley joins an illustrious list of past recipients that includes David Suzuki, Shelagh Rogers, Pierre Berton, Mavor Moore, Lister Sinclair, Len Peterson, Johnny Wayne and Frank Shuster, W.O. Mitchell, Knowlton Nash, Peter Gzowski, Joe Schlesinger, Barbara Frum and Vicki Gabereau.

"Wow, I can't quite believe it!" said Ms. Mesley. "My first reaction was horror, that this is proof I'm truly ancient. Then I read the list of previous winners and realized what a true honour this is."

Banff World Television Festival takes place June 11-14 set amid the spectacular Canadian Rockies at the Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Alberta. To register for BANFF 2006, please visit www.banff2006.com.