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Steve Patterson

Host of CBC's The Debaters | Award-Winning Comedian

Steve Patterson Headshot June 2023
Keynote Comedian (Yes, It's a Thing)
WE Day
Steve Patterson Headshot June 2023
There Is Such a Thing as Luck
Steve
Steve
Steve Patterson Headshot June 2023
Keynote Comedian (Yes, It's a Thing)
WE Day
Steve Patterson Headshot June 2023
There Is Such a Thing as Luck

With over 25 years of experience performing original material across the globe while also helming CBC Radio’s hit comedy show, The Debaters, for 15 seasons, few comedians are as skilled at commanding a stage, conducting a show, or moderating conversation than Steve Patterson. Best described as “honest and erudite”, Patterson combines incomparable off-the-cuff wit with diligent research and well-honed delivery to create one-of-a-kind shows for every audience.

Twice named best male stand-up at the Canadian Comedy Awards, Patterson is one of the most experienced, versatile corporate speakers working today. He’s presented to groups like the Alberta Teachers’ Association, the Canadian Bar Association, and Boston Consulting Group, and provided multi-day conference moderation and hosting for organizations such as Manulife Financial, the Young President’s Organization (YPO), and Frito Lay North America. Patterson has also hosted customized versions of The Debaters Live for such groups as IBM, BGC, and McMaster University.

Patterson has appeared on numerous nationally televised comedy specials with his work receiving considerable praise over the years. He is also a seasoned interviewer, having hosted 10 seasons of CBC’s Short Film Faceoff and two seasons of HGTV’s I Wrecked My House. Patterson is celebrated for his ability to masterfully engage audiences with “funny because they’re true” stories, well-written letters, and even original songs. In short, Patterson packs much more than just punchlines into his shows.

In addition, Patterson has toured his one-man show called This Is Not Debatable in theatres nationwide and released a comedy recording of the same title, which earned him another Canadian Comedy Award nomination. He is also the author of two books The Book of Letters I Didn’t Know Where to Send and Dad Up!

Speaking topics

Presentations listed below include in-person and virtual keynotes, as well as workshops, fireside chats, and other presentation formats.

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Client reviews

  • Steve presented an engaging, funny, relevant and appropriate performance to my clients and colleagues. His ability to incorporate recent events, comments from the crowd and our business into his material was amazing.

  • From the Prime Minister, you, and Gord Downie, to all our impassioned speakers and every young change-maker who joined us on stage – it was an unforgettable celebration of Canada. We cried, we laughed, and when you took the stage, we cried some more…from laughing so much.

    Thank you for striking the perfect balance between hilarity and poignancy in addressing reconciliation, women’s empowerment and LGBTQ rights — these are the issues that will shape our nation moving forward.

  • Steve Patterson is not only one of the funniest comedians on this planet, but he can act, write, host and even SING! His talent is unparalleled and to top it all off, he is a wonderful and warm human being.

  • Over the past few years, Steve has made a huge impression on our gala attendees. He is gregarious, hilarious, and whip-smart. He tailors his material to our crowd, can be seen jotting down jokes about breaking news at the very last minute, and truly isn’t afraid to toe the line – a combination that makes for a truly remarkable host. Our guests were floored by his performance in the first year he joined us, and they’ve been begging to have him back every year since! Steve is right on the money.

  • You can’t do better than Steve Patterson for an event MC! He’s funny, relevant, engaged, and easy to work with. The 600+ corporate leaders who attend our event each year have given us rave reviews on Steve’s participation. We’re thrilled to have had him back to host two years in a row (and hope to have him join us for a third).

  • It was no coincidence that Steve Patterson was host of the most attended TCA Luncheon in 75 years! In a notoriously tough room, Steve had the eclectic audience laughing from beginning to end. If he wasn’t married, I’d introduce him to my wife!

  • We were blown away with the customization of this show! Steve connected with our audience from the second he stepped on stage. He’s simply in a league of his own.

  • I wanted to say thank you again for the great job last night at the OMDA awards.  Many people came up afterwards and commented on how great Steve was or how he set the right tone and flow for the evening.  They felt like “he got them” as an audience.  My sincere thanks and appreciation for doing what you do, so well.

  • Undoubtedly, Steve Patterson is Canada’s Jimmy Kimmel, Johnny Carson and Jon Stewart wrapped in one dynamite bundle. As a host and writer, Steve is collaborative and creative without ego and pretension.

  • Steve received rave reviews from everyone in attendance. Some comments on our feedback questionnaire were:

    • Hilarious!
    • He was really, really funny!
    • Hit the money!
    • Finished too soon
    • A riot!
    • Amazing talent…the ability to think on his feet is outstanding
    • What a professional, worldly relevant and an amazing comedian – Wow!

    Out of a possible 5 points he scored 4.96. To say people enjoyed his show would be an understatement. Many people commented to me about how approachable and down to earth he was.

  • Over the years, we’ve worked with many entertainers for our gala, and Steve is one of a kind! Not only is he ridiculously funny, he is warm and engaging, and spends the time getting to know the crowd so he is able to be current, relevant and really make people feel connected. The perfect proof? Steve has helped us to create the kind of experience at our Gala that resulted in our most successful fundraiser yet!  We. LOVE. Steve Patterson!

  • Steve’s performance was incredible! He was hilarious, engaging and inclusive in his routine. The academic crowd can be a tough one but he made the panelists feel at ease on stage and even crack a few jokes of their own. I would not hesitate to engage Steve in another event for us. His performance will be difficult to top!

  • We were blown away with the customization of this show! Steve connected with our audience from the second he stepped on stage. He’s simply in a league of his own.

  • Steve was a huge hit with our (at times unruly) audience. So much so that I have reached out to Kelly MacDonald at Speakers Spotlight about booking him again for next year. Thanks again for all that you and Steve do. It truly contributed to one of the most successful REX Awards to date.

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