Alison Smith is host of CBC Radio's flagship news program, The World at Six, and is a senior correspondent for CBC News.

Smith began her journalism career in Toronto, covering municipal and provincial politics. In the early '80s, she moved to The National where she covered national affairs and business news.

Smith became a news host with the launch of CBC Newsworld, in 1989, anchoring and reporting on the major stories of the day across Canada and around the globe. She has hosted numerous news programs, including This Day, The Lead, Newsworld Reports, Sunday Report and CBC News Morning. She has also anchored a wide-range of live events, including South Africa's first multi-racial election, the death of Princess Diana, and the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

Before assuming her position with The World At Six in the fall of 2009, Smith was the Washington correspondent for CBC television. She spent four years travelling through the U.S. covering the historic election of President Barack Obama.

Smith was born and raised in Osoyoos, B.C., and educated at the University of British Columbia and Ryerson Polytechnic Institute in Toronto. She is the recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Okanagan University College.