Career Trajectory and Key Milestones
Kenyon Wallace has established himself as a cornerstone of investigative journalism in Canada, with a career spanning over 15 years at major outlets like The Toronto Star, National Post, and CBC. His work consistently bridges public interest reporting with systemic accountability, particularly in healthcare and institutional governance.
Early Career and Breakthroughs
- 2008–2010: Began as a CBC Joan Donaldson Scholar, covering federal politics and breaking news.
- 2011–2013: Joined The Toronto Star’s investigative team, contributing to award-winning coverage of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s scandal, which earned a Michener Award for public service journalism.
Pivotal Investigations
- 2019–2022: Led groundbreaking reporting on Ontario’s COVID-19 long-term care crisis, exposing negligence and overcrowding that contributed to thousands of deaths.
- 2023–Present: Shifted to the business desk, focusing on the intersection of private enterprises and public healthcare systems, including coverage of corporate bankruptcies like Hudson’s Bay.
Key Articles and Impact
- Hudson’s Bay Seeks Liquidation to Avoid Bankruptcy (The Hamilton Spectator, 2025) This investigation revealed Hudson’s Bay’s urgent court bid to liquidate $415 million in inventory amid financial collapse. Wallace’s analysis highlighted the risks to retail employees and suppliers, emphasizing the broader economic implications of Canada’s oldest company failing. The piece underscored systemic vulnerabilities in corporate governance and public-private partnerships.
- ‘Justice is long overdue’ for training school survivors (The Toronto Star, 2024) Wallace’s year-long investigation exposed decades of abuse at Ontario’s training schools, leading to a class-action lawsuit against the provincial government. By interviewing survivors and uncovering sealed settlement records, he revealed how institutions silenced victims through confidential payouts. The series prompted legislative calls for accountability and reparations.
- Ontario's ER Crisis Pushes Patients to the Brink (The Toronto Star, 2025) This analysis of emergency room overcrowding combined patient testimonials with data from hospital audits. Wallace identified staffing shortages and funding gaps as root causes, influencing provincial healthcare policy debates. His reporting was cited in Ontario Medical Association briefings advocating for systemic reforms.
Beat Analysis and Pitching Recommendations
1. Focus on Systemic Healthcare Inequities
Wallace prioritizes stories exposing gaps in public healthcare infrastructure, such as rural hospital closures or marginalized communities’ access barriers. For example, his 2024 investigation into Indigenous patients being charged for medically necessary travel demonstrates his interest in equity-driven angles. Pitches should include data from health authorities or whistleblower accounts.
2. Investigate Business-Healthcare Crossovers
With his current focus on private-sector influence in public healthcare, Wallace seeks stories about corporate partnerships, outsourcing controversies, or conflicts of interest. A recent piece on for-profit nursing homes upcharging taxpayers exemplifies this beat. Provide financial records or insider interviews to strengthen pitches.
3. Highlight Legal Accountability in Institutions
Wallace’s training school series shows his knack for uncovering institutional abuse and legal evasion. Proposals involving sealed court documents, whistleblower testimonies, or patterns of regulatory noncompliance align with his work. For instance, a pitch about unsafe conditions in private youth detention centers would resonate.
Awards and Achievements
- National Newspaper Award for Long Features (2012): Recognized for collaborative reporting on Toronto’s urban development disparities, which spurred affordable housing initiatives.
- Michener Award (2013): Honored for the Toronto Star team’s Rob Ford investigation, praised for its role in upholding democratic accountability.
