Dennis Trudeau, who delivered the supper hour news to English-speaking Montrealers on CBC-TV for nearly two decades, has passed away at age 77 after a long battle with cancer.
Trudeau, who hailed from Ottawa, obtained a Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Western Ontario, before heading to Quebec to work as a political reporter for the Montreal Gazette and Montreal Star, later covering the National Assembly for the Chronicle Telegraph.
In 1971, he moved to Montreal to work for The Canadian Press (CP), eventually making his way to CBC Radio in 1979 where he hosted programs like CBC Montreal’s Daybreak and national shows, As It Happens and Cross-Country Checkup.
He’s best know for his 18 years serving as the anchor for CBC Newswatch from 1987 to 2005.
In 2007, he founded Dennis Trudeau Communications, offering his services as a master of ceremonies, moderator, and facilitator, concurrently taking a year-long spin as a morning radio talk show host at Corus Entertainment’s AM 940 (CFNV-AM), contributing commentary to Dutrizac le midi on 98.5 FM (CHMP-FM) Montreal and contributing an urban affairs column to Montreal Centre Ville.
In a tribute posted to X, former CBC colleague Tom Harrington called Trudeau “a hard nosed journalist who was essential to our newsroom.”
Sad to learn Dennis Trudeau has died. After hosting @cbcasithappens, he returned to anchor Newswatch @CBCMontreal in 1987. We worked together there for 7 years. A hard nosed journalist who was essential to our newsroom. May he rest in peace & may his memory be a blessing. pic.twitter.com/rWfWki4lGP
— Tom Harrington (@cbctom) October 6, 2025
DENNIS TRUDEAU 1948-2025 –
Lorsque j’ai débuté ma carrière de journaliste à la Tribune parlementaire de l’Assemblée nationale à Québec entre 1977 et 1979, l’un de mes collègues était Dennis Trudeau.
À ce jour, je me souviens encore de la grande gentillesse et de l’objectivité… pic.twitter.com/d7nNEm1kdm— Bernard Bujold (@bernardbujold) October 7, 2025
