Peter Mansbridge has had a 40-year career at the CBC, starting at age 19.Peter Mansbridge has had a 40-year career at the CBC, starting at age 19. (CBC)

The CBC's Peter Mansbridge is to become an officer of the Order of Canada, according to a list of 75 appointees released on Canada Day by Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean.

Mansbridge, the chief correspondent of CBC News, anchors the flagship nightly news program The National and also hosts Newsworld's Mansbridge One on One.

Born in London in 1948, the newsman — who turns 60 on Sunday — was educated in Ottawa and served in the Royal Canadian Navy in 1966 and 1967.

His career with the CBC began by chance when someone from the public broadcaster overheard him on the public address system at an airport in the town of Churchill, Man., where he was working for the airline Transair, and asked him to come work at the local radio station. He was 19.

Mansbridge was The National's reporter in Saskatchewan in 1975; one year later, he landed a position as a parliamentary correspondent in Ottawa. He became chief correspondent and anchor of The National in 1988.

In his 40 years with the public broadcaster, Mansbridge has received 12 Gemini Awards for excellence in broadcast journalism as well as a number of honorary degrees from universities across the country.

The Order of Canada is the country's highest civilian honour and recognizes lifetime achievement and service to the nation.

Recipients announced Tuesday are slated to receive their insignia at a later date, yet to be announced.