John Downing (born 1936) is an author, reporter, editor and columnist, most notably writing for the Toronto Telegram and later the Toronto Sun.

He was a "Day Oner"[1][2] of the Toronto Sun first as city hall columnist and then as the Editor from 1985 to 1997.

John Downing has been president of the Canadian National Exhibition,[3] Toronto Press Club and Press Clubs of Canada, and director and governor of the Toronto Outdoor Art Show, Runnymede Health Care Centre,[4] Exhibition Place, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority,[5] Ontario Safety League, Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

He appeared on the CBC, CityTV, the Global Television Network, CFTR (AM) and CFRB.

Downing has been credited with popularizing the term "Red Rocket" for the Toronto Transit Corporation's (TTC) streetcars.