Lloyd Robertson, the trusted voice of news on Canadian airwaves for more than six decades, passed away Tuesday. He was 92.
Robertson began his broadcasting career in 1952, while still in his teens, as an operator and announcer at CJCS radio in his hometown of Stratford, ON. He went on to join CJOY in Guelph in 1953, moving into television a year later with CBC Windsor. That was followed by four years (1956-’60) with CBC Winnipeg and two in Ottawa (1960-’62). By 1970, he had moved his way up to anchor CBC flagship newscast, The National.
Frustrated with union rules prohibiting him from writing or editing, Robertson left the public broadcaster after 22 years in 1976, joining CTV News later that fall as co-anchor of CTV National News, alongside Harvey Kirck. He was appointed Chief News Anchor and Senior News Editor in 1983 when Kirck retired.
He continued to anchor CTV National News until Sept. 1, 2011, signing off for a final time with his signature “And that’s the kind of day it’s been” at age 77 after 41 years as a national anchor – the longest tenure of any national news anchor in North America. He continued to co-host W5 until 2016.
“Lloyd left an indelible mark on both CTV News and Canadian journalism,” said Richard Gray, VP News, Bell Media, in a company statement. “Throughout his illustrious career, he forged a genuine bond with viewers, becoming a reassuring voice while reporting on some of the biggest events happening across Canada and around the world. To those who worked alongside him, Lloyd was a valued mentor and friend. His enduring legacy continues through the standards and values he established at CTV News, and he will be deeply missed by all.”
“Canada has lost a broadcast legend. I have lost a teacher, a trusted friend, and someone who helped shape both my career and my life,” wrote Lisa LaFlamme, who succeeded Robertson on the CTV National News anchor desk, in a tribute on Instagram.
Omar Sachedina, current chief anchor and senior editor for the network, called him “an amazing man, mentor, and a great Canadian.”
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Robertson was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 1998 and in 2007 was the first journalist inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame. He was recognized with the Canadian Journalism Foundation’s (CJF) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016, among many other accolades.
Watch Genevieve Beauchemin’s tribute to Robertson here.
