Francois Riopel
Inducted 1997
Primary Outlet
Société Radio-Canada Manitoba
François Riopel dedicated nearly three decades to the Société Radio-Canada, the French-language division of the CBC, building a distinguished career as a sports announcer, news writer and television host.
Born in L’Épiphanie, Que., Riopel initially aspired to become a fighter jet pilot with the Canadian Armed Forces, but instead found his calling in broadcasting. After high school, he worked for Canadian Arsenals while attending weekend classes at the North American Broadcasting School in Montreal. Upon graduating, he was promptly hired by Radio-Canada and began his professional journey on Sept. 1, 1968.
His early years were spent in Saskatoon, where he covered local sports until 1973, when he transitioned into a news writing role, splitting his time between Saskatoon and Regina. He fondly recalls the challenges of the era, often managing the writing, producing and voicing of newscasts independently, all while working with film.
In 1974, Riopel moved to Winnipeg, where he served as a sports announcer for French-language programming until 1987. That year, he transitioned to the newsroom, becoming the host of Radio-Canada’s evening news broadcast. When CBC cancelled its French sports programming in 1994, Riopel returned to the sports department, remaining there until his retirement from the network in 2002.
Over the course of his broadcasting career, Riopel primarily covered football and hockey. His notable coverage included the World Hockey Association-National Hockey League merger in 1979, which saw the Winnipeg Jets join the NHL, and the team’s final game before relocating to Phoenix in 1996. His contributions to French-language sports journalism in Manitoba left a lasting impression on both viewers and colleagues.
Following his departure from Radio-Canada, Riopel continued to lend his voice to commercials, French-language translations and promotional projects.
François Riopel was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 1997.
Born in L’Épiphanie, Que., Riopel initially aspired to become a fighter jet pilot with the Canadian Armed Forces, but instead found his calling in broadcasting. After high school, he worked for Canadian Arsenals while attending weekend classes at the North American Broadcasting School in Montreal. Upon graduating, he was promptly hired by Radio-Canada and began his professional journey on Sept. 1, 1968.
His early years were spent in Saskatoon, where he covered local sports until 1973, when he transitioned into a news writing role, splitting his time between Saskatoon and Regina. He fondly recalls the challenges of the era, often managing the writing, producing and voicing of newscasts independently, all while working with film.
In 1974, Riopel moved to Winnipeg, where he served as a sports announcer for French-language programming until 1987. That year, he transitioned to the newsroom, becoming the host of Radio-Canada’s evening news broadcast. When CBC cancelled its French sports programming in 1994, Riopel returned to the sports department, remaining there until his retirement from the network in 2002.
Over the course of his broadcasting career, Riopel primarily covered football and hockey. His notable coverage included the World Hockey Association-National Hockey League merger in 1979, which saw the Winnipeg Jets join the NHL, and the team’s final game before relocating to Phoenix in 1996. His contributions to French-language sports journalism in Manitoba left a lasting impression on both viewers and colleagues.
Following his departure from Radio-Canada, Riopel continued to lend his voice to commercials, French-language translations and promotional projects.
François Riopel was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 1997.