Chris Howden: Wife, Children, Early Life, Career, Biography & More

Chris Howden is a Canadian radio broadcaster, writer, and producer best known as the co-host of CBC Radio One’s long-running news program As It Happens. Over the years, he has become one of the most recognizable voices on Canadian public radio, transitioning from behind-the-scenes production work to a leading on-air role.

Quick Facts About Chris Howden

● Full Name: Chris Howden

● Nationality: Canadian

● Hometown: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

● Profession: Radio Broadcaster, Journalist, Writer, Producer

● Known For: Co-host of CBC Radio’s As It Happens

● Employer: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)

● Career Start: CBC Radio producer and writer

● Major Role: Co-host of As It Happens (since 2019)

Who Is Chris Howden?

Chris Howden is a Canadian journalist and radio personality associated with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). He built his career at CBC Radio, where he worked as a writer and producer before eventually becoming a co-host of As It Happens in 2019.

He is known for his calm, conversational broadcasting style and his ability to bring storytelling depth to news interviews.

Early Life

Chris Howden is originally from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada.

He has kept most details about his early upbringing private, including information about his childhood, parents, and education. However, his Canadian roots and early interest in storytelling eventually led him toward a career in broadcasting and media production.

Chris Howden Career

Early Career at CBC

Chris Howden spent many years working behind the scenes at CBC Radio. He served as a producer and head writer for As It Happens, one of CBC’s flagship interview programs.

During this time, he contributed to shaping the program’s editorial direction and narrative style, helping craft interviews and segments that reached audiences across Canada and internationally.

He also worked on other CBC projects, including the documentary-style series Living Out Loud.

Transition to On-Air Broadcasting

Before becoming a full-time host, Howden occasionally appeared on-air as a fill-in announcer when needed. His strong performance in these roles helped establish his presence as a natural broadcaster.

As It Happens Co-Host

In December 2019, Chris Howden was officially named co-host of As It Happens alongside Carol Off.

The program is one of CBC Radio One’s most important current affairs shows, featuring interviews with newsmakers, experts, and individuals involved in major global and Canadian events.

As co-host, Howden helps guide interviews, introduces stories, and contributes to the program’s signature storytelling approach.

Other Work

Outside of CBC, Howden has also explored creative performance. He has performed in a comedy duo called Trophy Wives, showing his interest in stage performance and writing beyond journalism.

Early Interests and Creative Work

Beyond journalism, Howden has expressed interest in creative writing and performance. His background in storytelling has influenced both his radio production work and his occasional comedic performances.

His experience with writing and performance has contributed to his ability to deliver engaging radio content.

Role at CBC

At CBC, Howden is recognized for:

● Long-term production work on As It Happens

● Transitioning from producer to co-host

● Contributing to CBC Radio documentary storytelling

● Helping shape one of Canada’s most respected radio programs

His career reflects a rare path from behind-the-scenes production to national broadcast hosting.

Chris Howden Wife

Chris Howden is married to Jennifer Canham. The couple lives in Toronto, Canada, and they have one daughter together.

Despite being a public radio personality on CBC, Chris Howden keeps his personal and family life relatively private, and his wife is rarely featured in media interviews or public appearances.

Chris Howden Children

Chris Howden has one daughter with his wife, Jennifer Canham.

He is known for keeping his family life out of the public spotlight, focusing instead on his long-running career with As It Happens on CBC Radio One, where he serves as co-host and announcer.

Awards and Recognition

Chris Howden is recognized primarily for his long-standing contribution to Canadian broadcasting through CBC Radio. He has built a strong reputation as a respected broadcaster and storyteller, particularly for his work on Metro Morning, one of Toronto’s most influential morning radio programs.

Over the years, he has been acknowledged within the broadcasting community for:

● His role as co-host of CBC Radio’s Metro Morning, a flagship program on CBC Radio One

● His work in Canadian public broadcasting, contributing to storytelling, interviews, and cultural coverage

● His long career at CBC, where he has served in various editorial and production roles before becoming a host

While he is widely respected in Canadian media circles, no major publicly listed personal awards (such as Canadian Screen Awards or RTDNA awards) are clearly attributed directly to him in available records.

Important note

In many cases, with CBC radio personalities, recognition comes in the form of:

● Program-level awards (awarded to the show or station rather than individual hosts)

● Team journalism recognition

● Industry reputation rather than individual trophies

Social Media Presence

Chris Howden maintains a relatively low-profile public presence on social media compared to many television and radio personalities. As a long-time CBC Radio journalist and co-host of As It Happens, he is more active on-air than online, and his work is primarily shared through official CBC platforms rather than personal accounts.

Most of his public-facing content and updates are published through CBC Radio and As It Happens official accounts, where program highlights, interviews, and news clips are shared. These platforms serve as the main way audiences engage with his work beyond live broadcasts.

While Chris Howden does not maintain a widely publicized personal social media profile for public interaction, listeners can follow his work through:

● X (formerly Twitter): @cbcasithappens (program account)

● CBC Radio platforms and CBC Listen app

● CBC official website and program pages

Overall, Howden’s professional presence online is closely tied to CBC’s official media channels, reflecting his focus on broadcast journalism rather than personal social media branding.

Interesting Facts About Chris Howden

● He is originally from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

● He worked for many years as a producer before becoming a host.

● He co-hosts CBC Radio’s As It Happens.

● He was named co-host in 2019.

● He has performed in a comedy duo called Trophy Wives.

● He keeps his personal life extremely private.

Conclusion

Chris Howden has built a respected career in Canadian broadcasting through years of dedication to radio production and storytelling. From his early behind-the-scenes work at CBC to becoming co-host of As It Happens, he has steadily risen to become one of the key voices in Canadian public radio. While he keeps his personal life private, his professional contributions to journalism and broadcasting remain widely recognized.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who is Chris Howden?

Chris Howden is a Canadian radio broadcaster, writer, and producer best known as the co-host and announcer of As It Happens on CBC. He has worked for the program for many years, originally as a writer and producer before becoming a co-host in 2020.

2. Who is Chris Howden's wife?

Chris Howden is married to Jennifer Canham. They live in Toronto, Canada, and have a daughter together.

3. What makes As It Happens unique?

As It Happens is unique because it is a “call-out” interview program that directly contacts newsmakers, eyewitnesses, and unusual voices around the world, rather than relying only on press releases or studio guests. The show also blends serious journalism with humor, storytelling, and its signature wordplay and puns.

4. Who are the hosts of CBC As It Happens?

The current hosts of As It Happens on CBC Radio One are Nil Köksal and Chris Howden.