Canadian historian Chad Gaffield stated that the practice of recognizing a newsmaker of the year was a return to the study of how history can be influenced by
one person, rather than studying obscure people.
Pierre Trudeau holds the record for most wins, receiving the distinction for the 10th time in 2000, breaking a tie with
Lester B. Pearson's nine wins. Though it is generally a positive acknowledgement, it is not guaranteed to be such. In 1999 a newsmaker of the century was chosen in place of a newsmaker of the year, ==List of Newsmakers of the Year==