TORONTO — Tony Burman, editor in chief of CBC News, is leaving the public broadcaster after 35 years.

Burman, 59, will finish up at CBC on July 13.

“Tony leaves big shoes to fill,” Richard Stursberg, executive vice-president of CBC Television, said in a news release.

“We will be pushing forward with our overall news renewal that will reinforce CBC News as a leader in Canadian journalism. Without diminishing the quality and focus of ‘The National,' ‘World Report' and other signature network news shows, we will continue to reinvest more energy and airtime in our local and regional news.”

Burman has held a number of roles at CBC. He's been head of CBC Newsworld and executive producer of “The National.”

Before that he was a news and documentary producer, covering stories in almost 30 countries.

Last year, Burman oversaw CBC News's introduction of a new look and attitude on all its platforms in response to demands that the public broadcaster try to be hipper and cooler. A survey of Canadians found that parts of the CBC News operation didn't appeal to young people.

No reason was given for Burman's departure.

In his own e-mail to CBC staff, Burman said he had “mixed emotions” about the move, but mostly “feelings of elation” and “liberation.”

The public broadcaster said a search for his successor will begin immediately.