Lloyd Robertson was honoured Thursday night with a lifetime achievement award from the Canadian Journalism Foundation, a distinction that recognizes his indelible impact on the world of broadcast journalism.
Robertson served as Chief Anchor and Senior News Editor of CTV National News for 35 years, making him the longest-serving national TV news anchor in Canadian history.
During more than five decades in radio and television, Robertson has guided Canadians through turning points in history: the moon landing, the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the 9-11 attacks. He has interviewed dignitaries at home and abroad, including former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, members of the Royal Family and Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space.
Robertson was 77 when he passed the anchoring torch to Lisa LaFlamme and delivered his final nightly signoff: “And that’s the kind of day it’s been.” Robertson remains Host and Chief Correspondent of CTV investigative news program W5.
"For decades, Lloyd Robertson was our trusted source for news, covering every significant event in the country from election campaigns, the Olympic Games, political leadership battles and royal visits. He did it all with a mix of authority, professionalism and a common touch,” said Globe and Mail journalist Jane Taber, a member of the CJF award selection jury, in a press release.
Robertson received the lifetime achievement award Thursday evening at a gala event in downtown Toronto. Earlier, Robertson called the distinction “a great honour.”
"As a long-time supporter of CJF's efforts to bring understanding of the critical role journalism plays in our lives, it's especially gratifying to gain this recognition from my peers," Robertson said.
Robertson’s passion for television began at an early age. He was the youngest of 10 children in a working-class family in Stratford, Ont., and as a youngster he became fascinated by the world of radio. Robertson was a teenager when he landed his first broadcasting gig in 1952 as a radio operator for a local station.
The fledgling journalist soon made his way to Windsor, Ont., where his distinctive baritone voice and skillful storytelling set him apart on radio airwaves for CBC.
Robertson moved to Toronto in 1962 and eventually began his career in national television news as anchor of CBC’s national news program.
In his autobiography, “The Kind of Life It’s Been,” Robertson wrote about how strict CBC union rules prevented him from writing copy for the program – a task he believed was integral to the anchor’s role.
Robertson left the CBC and began his career at CTV in 1976 as co-anchor of the national news with Harvey Kirck. He eventually became the show’s chief anchor and senior news editor, leading Canada’s top-rated newscast in a role that gave him daily editorial decisions.
Robertson’s storied career has already earned him several national accolades. Robertson is a member of the Order of Canada and was the first journalist inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.
Past recipients of the CJF Lifetime Achievement Award include photojournalist Peter Bregg, former CTV journalist Michael Maclear and longtime CBC anchor Knowlton Nash.
