Barrie Ward (born January 30, 1949) is a Canadian broadcaster, journalist. writer and educator. As of 2009, he serves as Director of Corporate Research for Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation.

Ward has long been one of the most easily recognized voices on the Saskatchewan radio scene, He started his broadcasting career with CFQC radio in Saskatoon in 1968, where he hosted the Waxworks program at age 19 while attending the University of Saskatchewan.

He worked at CFQC radio and television up to 1972, developing announcing, social, technical, writing and reporting skills.

Barrie Ward in 2008

After a brief stint as the program manager and news director of CFMC-FM Saskatoon in 1972 , he became an announcer and host at CBKST-TV, the CBC Television affiliate in Saskatoon shortly before being offered a postion with the newly formed Department of Northern Saskatchewan ...

In early 1973, Ward moved with his family to La Ronge, in northern Saskatchewan, where he hosted and produced Northern News for the Government of Saskatchewan in the early 1970s. During this time, he also wrote a weekly newspaper column for the La Ronge Northerner, and delivered a weekly local cable television newscast.

He took a hiatus from broadcasting and moved back to Saskatoon in 1976 to work for the Saskatchewan Council for Crippled Children and Adults for three years as a rehabilitation counselor and vocational evaluator. He returned to his radio roots in 1979 at the invitation of Roy Currie, then manager of CJWW in Saskatoon, an adult contemporary station. Ward quickly found himself hosting shows around the clock and he introduced country music to his programming - a presage of the stations eventual shift to that format. He formed his own communications company and became an itinerant radio skills instructor travelling to all corners of the province and he also developed some 'well used' skills as a wildlife artist and prints of his work are familiar to people in many communities in western Canada.

Ward has been a writer and teacher of radio and television arts who has helped advance aboriginal radio and in particular MBC Radio over the past several decades. He has been professionally and publicly recognized with awards for his lifetime contributions to aboriginal broadcasting.

Personal life

Ward was married in 1971. He and his wife Elisabeth, a teacher, have two children, both grown and married professionals.

Ward served three terms as the mayor of his small residential community, and has served multiple terms on the boards of directors of various civic organizations. In a few occasional breaks from the media over the past four decades, he has continued his work as a vocational counsellor and developed his interest in creating pen & ink wildlife art and watercolours.

Ward has received recognition as a citizen of merit from the City of Saskatoon and from the Order of St John of Jerusalem.

A bit more personal information on Ward is to be found here