John Macfarlane was Editor and Co-publisher of The Walrus from 2008 to 2014. Previously, he was Editor of Toronto Life (1992-2007); Managing Director of News, Features, and Information Programming at CTV (1991-92); Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Financial Times of Canada(1987-90); Publisher of Saturday Night magazine (1980-87); Editor of Weekend Magazine (1976-80); Executive Editor of Maclean’s (1975-76); President of Analytical Communications Incorporated, a public relations company owned by Vickers & Benson (1974-75); Editor of Toronto Life (1972-74); Associate Editor of Maclean’s (1970-72); Entertainment Editor of the Toronto Star (1968-70); Entertainment Editor of The Globe and Mail (1967-68); and editorial writer at The Globe and Mail (1965-67).
In 2007, he received The Foundation Award for Outstanding Achievement from the National Magazine Awards Foundation.
In 2010 he received the Writers’ Trust Distinguished Contribution Award in recognition of his long-standing service to the Canadian writing community.
He is Vice-chairman of The Royal Conservatory of Music; a director of the International Festival of Authors; former Chairman of the Canadian Journalism Foundation (2009-11); former Chairman of the Writers’ Trust of Canada (2001-04); former President of the National Magazine Awards Foundation (2000-2002); former Chairman of the YMCA of Metropolitan Toronto (1986-87); a former member of the Ontario Arts Council (1985-87); and a founding member of the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.
He was educated at the University of Toronto Schools and the University of Alberta, Calgary and is a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.