Rick Mercer is without a doubt one of this country's most highly respected writers and actors. Hailing from St. John's Newfoundland, Rick premiered his one-man show at Ottawa's National Arts Center in 1990. Since then, his knack for political and social satire has earned him over 25 Gemini Awards for his top-rated series “This Hour has 22 Minutes” and “Made in Canada”. 

His writing has been published in both Time and Maclean's, and his 1998 book, Streeters, went to No. 1 on the Globe and Mail best-seller list. Rick has also won the Sir Peter Ustinov Award at the prestigious Banff Television Festival, and was the 2004 recipient of The National Arts Centre Award at the Governor General's Awards for the Performing Arts.

His CBC special Rick Mercer's Talking to Americans attracted 2.7 million viewers across Canada, making it the highest rated comedy special in the history of Canadian television.

Today, as host of The Rick Mercer Report, Rick understands what amuses, delights, and occasionally enrages Canadians about our politicians, our media elite, and our neighbour to the south. Often referred to as “Canada’s Unofficial Opposition”, Rick has made his mark on Canadian politics and helped to define what it means to be Canadian. Drawing on the very best of his adventures in Canadian television, Rick brings that brand of humour to the show.