Sandie Rinaldo

Dec 2, 2023 | ctvnews.ca | Natasha O'Neill |Sandie Rinaldo

Shortly after Rick Hansen survived a vehicle accident that left him paralyzed, the then 15-year-old decided he wouldn't let his disability hold him back. Fast forward 50 years, Hansen is a household name across Canada and the world for championing accessibility rights and competing on the world stage.

Dec 2, 2023 | ctvnews.ca | Sandie Rinaldo

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. - I remember reporting on Rick Hansen’s Man in Motion Tour for CTV National News. It was 1986 and the wheelchair athlete-turned-advocate for those with physical disabilities impressed me with his drive and persistence. Over 26 arduous months, he propelled his wheelchair across 34 countries raising not just awareness for spinal cord injuries, but more than $26 million to start a foundation to help fund research.

Sep 18, 2023 | ctvnews.ca | Sandie Rinaldo

I will never forget the day I tried to interview William Shatner; tried being the operative word. It was 29 years ago and the VP of Entertainment suggested Star Trek’s “Captain James T. Kirk" would be a good candidate for my CTV Portrait Series. At the time, Shatner had a show on CTV called TekWar. He was at the top of his game. Needless to say, I was excited about meeting him despite restricted access. I was given only eight minutes to dive in and get the man to divulge deep dark secrets.

May 11, 2023 | ctvnews.ca | Sandie Rinaldo

I can’t believe it’s been 50 years since I first walked in the door at CTV, a kid at 23, fresh out of university and thrilled to have talked my way into a job at CTV National News. And talk about starting at the very bottom rung, in what was clearly a man’s world —with only a tiny handful of women in television news at the network level in North America. In 1973, all the executives, producers, and anchors were men.

May 10, 2023 | ctvnews.ca | Sandie Rinaldo

When CTV National News Executive Producer Rosa Hwang pitched the idea of a network special to mark my 50th anniversary with CTV, which has since turned into two specials — we talked about my comfort level in revealing personal aspects of my life I have kept private all these years. As a journalist, I’ve always been reluctant to reveal too much to you, the viewers. After all, I report on other people’s stories — not my own. But as Rosa said to me — it’s time.