Rick Mercer

Rick Mercer is an iconic Canadian comedian, political satirist, television producer, and bestselling author whose razor-sharp wit and legendary fast-walk alleyway rants have spent decades cementing him as a premier chronicle of Canadian identity. Born and raised in St. John's, Newfoundland, Mercer bypassed traditional university enrollment to throw himself into theater, first gaining national prominence with his provocative solo stage tours like Show Me the Button, I'll Push It. He quickly transformed Canada's media landscape by co-creating and performing for eight seasons on CBC's hit sketch comedy series This Hour Has 22 Minutes, where his satirical "Talking to Americans" segment drew the highest ratings for a comedy special in Canadian television history. He extended his creative domain by co-creating and starring in the award-winning television industry satire Made in Canada before launching his fifteen-season cultural heavyweight program, the Rick Mercer Report. Over his broadcasting career, he has accumulated over 25 Gemini Awards and Canadian Screen Awards, alongside prestigious national honors including the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement and his appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada. Beyond television, Mercer has penned a series of five national bestsellers, encompassing his compiled political rants and his critically acclaimed two-part personal memoir consisting of Talking to Canadians and The Road Years. Serving as an active member of the board of directors for Historica Canada, Mercer continues to shape national civic discourse throughout 2025 and 2026. Following the blockbuster release of his nationwide Stand-Up for Canada theater tour, his major televised holiday comedy special, Stand Up for Canada Starring Rick Mercer, has drawn immense broadcast success on CBC, allowing him to lead premium public conversations into 2026 advocating for rigorous Canadian history education and the preservation of national storytelling.