Ian Vandaelle was a financial journalist who worked at BNN Bloomberg and The Financial Post. He sadly passed away on December 5, 2023.

Key Takeaways

• Ian Vandaelle, born in New Westminster, B.C., as a middle child between his two sisters, was a financial journalist who worked at BNN Bloomberg for over a decade.
• His partner, Stephanie Hughes, is also a financial journalist at the Financial Post.
• On December 5, 2023, Ian untimely passed away.

In 1990, Ian (Van) Metro Alexander was born in New Westminster, B.C., to Rod and Margo Vandaelle.

He was the middle sibling, with an older and a younger sister, Carolyn and Liz.

However, when Ian was 6 years old, his family moved to Lacombe, where Ian attended school.

In 2008, he graduated from Lacombe Composite. Ian enjoyed a fulfilling and lively adolescence.

During his teens, Ian played hockey while working part-time at the Co-Op gas bar.

He also drove numerous old cars during these days.

Moreover, and more importantly, Ian wrote a weekly column for the Red Deer Advocate.

He was already laying a solid groundwork for what would become an exceptional journalism career.

After graduation, he moved to Toronto to study journalism at Ryerson University.

During his time at the university, he wrote and edited for the University paper.

His work for the University paper gave him valuable hands-on experience and helped him further his writing and editing skills.

Furthermore, he landed a news internship at the National Post while in college.

His internship surely contributed to his growth as an emerging journalist and shaped his path toward becoming a successful journalist.

He then worked as a producer at BNN Bloomberg for over a decade, where he established a strong reputation and established himself as a credible name in the financial journalism industry.

On August 24, 2023, Ian announced that he would be leaving BNN Bloomberg after an 11-year stint at the company.

When he passed away, he was a reporter/assistant editor at the Financial Post.

A long pandemic, but goddamn, got to see Mum & Pops Vandaelle for the first time in literally years. Hell of a weekend, had so much fun I only managed to remember to take one pic over almost three days. pic.twitter.com/laqGxnB4ok

— Ian Vandaelle (@IanVandaelle) September 6, 2021

At the time of his passing, he was in a loving relationship with fellow financial journalist Stephanie Hughes.

Stephanie and Ian seemed to be in a relationship with each other since 2021.

They shared two pets: a cat named Finnian and an iguana named Dali!

Lovingly, they referred to their pets as ‘kids‘, which reflects that their pets were a significant member of their household.

A year since @StephHughes95 made a deeply questionable decision. I’m pretty happy with the result. pic.twitter.com/X0fmZJDw46

— Ian Vandaelle (@IanVandaelle) March 6, 2022

Currently, Stephanie works at the Financial Post as a financial reporter.

She covers topics like baking, central banks, fintech, mortgage and housing policy, cryptocurrencies, economic news, etc.

Stephanie writes daily news files for the Post and crates short explainer videos that anyone can find on her social media pages.

Before her role at the Financial Post, she worked as a freelancer at BNN Bloomberg as both a digital producer and a chase producer.

Journalism has lost a great reporter, editor, producer, mentor, and all around great guy.

Many people have come to know him well at BNN, he taught so many new people to the industry, myself included. Many others in many industries have come to know him as a close friend. pic.twitter.com/AIRNyvQp8U

— Stephanie Hughes (@StephHughes95) December 5, 2023

Regrettably, on December 5, 2023, Ian Vandaelle passed away.

Stephanie said on Twitter that Ian had been in the hospital since November 18, 2023.

Ultimately, on December 5, Ian was declared neurologically deceased and taken off life support.

Stephanie wrote a heartfelt message expressing her deep sadness at this devastating loss.

She wrote,

I lost a mentor, my life partner, and my best friend. I’m devastated, but I’m encouraged to see how many friends and family came by the hospital to keep him company in his final days. He took great joy in seeing friends old and new. I’ll always appreciate your love and support.

Via X

Furthermore, she explained how great of a journalist Ian was and that anyone who worked with him would miss him.

Ian Vandaelle was an extremely talented writer with a deep passion for his work as a journalist.

Words can’t describe how much I’ll miss Ian. He’ll always be with me. We’ll all miss him, I’m sure. Thank you everyone who came to our support in this challenging time. It’s meant the world to us.

Via X

In Case You Didn’t Know

• Ian passed away at the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Toronto, Canada.

• Ian Vandaelle is survived by his partner, Stephanie Hughes, her family, his family, his parents, his sisters, and their families, as well as numerous relatives, friends, colleagues, and his pets, Dali and Finnian.