J-Source

Updated: Maria Babbage, Jacques Boissinot leave CP

Babbage is leaving The Canadian Press to join the Ontario health ministry while photographer Jacques Boissinot is leaving the wire service after 27 years. By Tamara Baluja, Associate Editor Reporter Maria Babbage and photographer Jacques Boissinot are leaving The Canadian Press. Babbage will become director of communications for Ontario health minister, Dr. Eric Hoskins. She…

Babbage is leaving The Canadian Press to join the Ontario health ministry while photographer Jacques Boissinot is leaving the wire service after 27 years.

By Tamara Baluja, Associate Editor

Reporter Maria Babbage and photographer Jacques Boissinot are leaving The Canadian Press.

Babbage will become director of communications for Ontario health minister, Dr. Eric Hoskins.

She joined CP’s Queen’s Park bureau in 2008 and worked there for six years, before moving to the national desk earlier this month.

“It was a painful decision to leave the job I love and what I’ve come to regard as an extended family. But change is good and I’m excited to take on new challenges,” Babbage told J-Source in an email. “The Canadian Press has been a major part of my life and I’m grateful for the experience of learning from the best reporters and editors in the country. There are no egos at the newswire, just hardworking and talented people who band together to produce great work. There’s no place like it.”

Her last day with CP is Oct. 10.

Photographer Jacques Boissinot is also leaving CP’s Picture Service after 27 years to pursue a freelancing career in Quebec City.

“Jacques has staffed pretty much any event you can think of from Olympics, Summits, more elections than he can probably count, and so many sports championships they are probably a blur in his memory,” said Graeme Roy, director of news photography, in a memo. “His upbeat and enthusiastic personality is both infectious and world renowned.”