Every newshound interested in the intricacies of Canada's political theatre knows the face of Craig Oliver.

''Politics has always been a great passion of mine,'' Oliver says. "It's people playing out the drama of life on a larger scale. It's always lively. It really gets the debates going,'' he adds.

Over the past four decades, Oliver's career has taken him across the country, as well as to more far-flung spots around the globe.

He got his start in broadcast journalism at the CBC, specializing in news from the Prairies. In his work at CTV, beginning in 1972, Oliver has done it all - serving as the network's director of news and current affairs, producer of Canada AM's inaugural episodes, and as political correspondent in Washington.

The depth of his experience is evident in the clutch of awards offered by his peers. The Radio and Television News Directors Association presented him with its 1995 Presidents' Award for excellence in Canadian broadcast journalism. That same year, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters gave him its Broadcast Hall of Fame Award. In 1994, he earned two Gemini awards, one for Best Reportage; the second Gemini - the Gordon Sinclair Award - recognized Best Overall Broadcast Journalism. In 2000 his lifetime of work -- so far --was recognized with the Charles Lynch Award.

Television Experience and Career Highlights:

• Co-host, CTV's landmark political show, Question Period
• Ottawa Bureau Chief, CTV Television News
• Washington Correspondent, CTV Television News
• Director, News and Current Affairs, CTV Television News
• Winner, Presidents Award, Excellence in Broadcast Journalism, 1995
• Inducted into the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame, 1995
• Winner, Gemini Award, Best Reportage, 1994
• Winner, Gemini Award, Gordon Sinclair Award, Best Overall Broadcast
• Journalist, 1994