Year Born: 1934
Year of Induction: 1998
Radio Station CJCS Stratford, Ontario, when it was owned by Frank Squires, was one of Canada’s principal ports-of-entry for young men bent on a career in radio broadcasting. Many entered – moved on and succeeded – some more successful than others.. . There can be no question that the one “most successful” was born and raised in Stratford —- one of Canada’s most-recognized – most-respected broadcasters — Lloyd Robertson.
In his teens, in 1953, Lloyd landed his first radio job as an operator/announcer at CJCS. In 1954, Lloyd drove to nearby Guelph and found a berth with CJOY. Two years later, he joined the CBC as a staff announcer – 4 years in Winnipeg and 2 years in Ottawa. In 1962, he re-located to Toronto to join CBC Weekend News.
Lloyd anchored CBC’s The National from 1970 to 1976, and then joined CTV’s News Department in October of ’76 to co-anchor with Harvey Kirck The CTV National News. In 1983, he was appointed Chief News Anchor and Senior News Editor.
Over four decades of broadcasting, Lloyd Robertson proved himself a master of virtually every form of radio/TV news coverage. Some of the highlights:
•at the anchor desk for numerous CTV News specials – among them -: CTV’s coverage of the 50th and 60th Anniversaries of D-day; Decision 93; Canada in Question;
•CTV’s coverage of the Gulf War – budget specials – political and economic summits – royal weddings – week- long coverage of Expo ’86 from Vancouver – U.S. presidential elections – openings of Parliament – state funerals – Papal visits – Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee;
•coverage of nine Olympic Games including Lillehammer (1994), Barcelona (1992), Calgary (1988), Los Angeles & Sarajevo (1984) & Lake Placid (1980);
•served for eleven years as co-anchor of CFTO’s annual Hospital For Sick Children Telethon and as frequent participant in ATV’s Christmas Daddies.
•Host of his own specials on Hong Kong, China and Great Britain;
•Host of W Five.
Lloyd Robertson’s awards attest to his skills – his integrity – his popularity: •Gemini winner for best host, anchor or interviewer, news or information program or series (Quebec Referendum: A Nation in Question);
•1995/96 – CAB Golden Ribbon Award-winner for Broadcast Excellence;
•1994 – Recipient of Toronto Sun’s Reader’s Voice Award – Favourite TV Anchor
•1993 – Recipient of the RTNDA President’s Award;
•1992 & 1994 – Gemini Award (six-time nominee) for Best Anchor/Interviewer;
•1992 – Named by Central Canada Broadcasters Assoc. Broadcaster of the Year;
•1992 – appointed Honorary Chairperson of the ’92 Terry Fox Run;
•1988 – Gemini Award nominee – Best Coverage of a Special Event(Decision 88)
•in NOW Magazine’s first Reader Poll voted Favourite TV Anchor;
•ten-times voted by TV Guide Magazine readers Most Trusted TV Journalist;
In 1998, Lloyd Robertson was inducted into the CAB Hall of Fame, and with the approval of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.
In November 2006, Lloyd received an Honorary Degree from B.C.’s Royal Roads University, and was also awarded the 2006 Arts and Letters Award from the Canadian Society of New York.
On the CTV National News on Thursday July 8th, Lloyd announced that, while he had signed a contract with CTV to continue as the Chief News Anchor and Senior Editor for another year, he would be stepping down from these roles in late 2011. He would however be continuing to do other on-air appearances for the Network, including his co-host role on W5. On July 9th, CTV news anchor Lisa La Flamme was named as Lloyd’s eventual successor
On June 2nd, at CTV’s Upfront presentation of tbeir new season product, Lloyd Robertson announced that his final appearance as CTV National News anchor would be on September 1st 2011.
His designated successor, Lisa Laflamme, would take over the Anchor chair effective September 5th, but Lloyd would continue on-air for CTV as co-host for the news magazine show W5.
In recognition of his distinguished broadcast journalism career, Lloyd Robertson was honoured with The Canadian Journalism Foundation’s (CJF) Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual CJF Awards on June 16 2016 in Toronto. At the time he was continuing to host CTV’s long-running W5 series.
On July 7th 2018, the City of Markham opened Lloyd Robertson Park to pay tribute to the man from Markham who had done so much to bring news into Canadian homes for so long.