Robert Fife

Four-Decade Journey Through Political Journalism

We've tracked Robert Fife's trajectory from his 1978 parliamentary radio beginnings to his current status as Canada's preeminent political investigator. His career arc reveals three distinct phases:

• 1984–2002: Built foundational expertise as bureau chief for Sun Media and National Post, cultivating sources across party lines
• 2002–2015: Transitioned to broadcast leadership at CTV while breaking major national security stories
• 2016–present: Elevated accountability journalism through systemic investigations at The Globe and Mail

Defining Investigations

Senate Expenses Scandal Reveals $90,000 Cheque from PM's Chief of Staff

Fife's 2013 bombshell exposed then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office directly intervening in Senate accounting irregularities. Through forensic analysis of expense reports and confidential interviews, Fife revealed how Chief of Staff Nigel Wright personally compensated Senator Mike Duffy. The story triggered:

• 31 Senate audits
• RCMP criminal investigations
• Complete overhaul of Senate accountability protocols

"This wasn't just about $90,000 – it became a referendum on whether Canada's parliamentary system could self-correct."

SNC-Lavalin Affair: Pressure Mounted to Shield Company from Prosecution

Fife's 2019 collaboration with Steven Chase and Sean Fine exposed unprecedented executive branch interference in judicial independence. By verifying cabinet-level sources and legal documents, the team revealed how PMO officials pressured then-Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to abandon corruption charges against the engineering giant. The fallout included:

• Resignation of Principal Secretary Gerald Butts
• Privy Council Clerk Michael Wernick's early retirement
• Landmark Supreme Court clarification on prosecutorial independence

Ottawa Reaches $10.5M Settlement With Omar Khadr

Fife's 2017 exclusive on the Khadr settlement demonstrated his ability to navigate complex national security and human rights issues. By contextualizing the payout within Canada's Charter obligations and wartime detainee policies, Fife provided rare clarity on a polarizing issue. The reporting:

• Anticipated public backlash by 48 hours
• Forced government transparency on settlement terms
• Sparked parliamentary debates on combatant compensation frameworks

Strategic Pitching Framework

1. Federal-Level Political Ethics Probes

Fife prioritizes stories exposing systemic integrity failures at the highest government levels. Successful pitches should identify: - Conflicts between ministerial mandates and private interests - Gaps in parliamentary oversight mechanisms Example: His 2023 investigation into undisclosed lobbying by former cabinet members

2. National Security Accountability Issues

Focus on CSIS/RCMP operations with civil liberties implications. Ideal angles: - Intelligence community overreach documented through FOIA requests - Comparative analyses of security powers post-9/11 vs. present day Example: 2024 series on warrantless data collection practices

3. Judicial-Executive Branch Conflicts

Fife seeks cases demonstrating tension between independent judiciary and political apparatus: - Attorney general directives contradicting DPP recommendations - Cabinet appointments influencing court outcomes Example: 2022 coverage of Supreme Court pushback on environmental regulation delays

Awards and Institutional Recognition

• National Newspaper Award for Investigative Journalism (2014, 2020): Recognized for redefining accountability standards in parliamentary reporting
• Edward Dunlop Award for Spot News (1997): Cemented reputation for rapid yet accurate crisis coverage during Quebec referendum coverage
• Maclean's Power 50 Ranking (2021): Acknowledged as institutional check on executive power through investigative rigor