CTV National News chief anchor Lloyd Robertson is being remembered as a familiar face, a calm presence and a friend.
The veteran broadcaster died Tuesday at the age of 92.
Prime Minister Mark Carney posted his condolences on social media late Tuesday, expressing sympathies and reflecting on the anchor’s legacy.
“For more than six decades, Lloyd Robertson helped Canadians make sense of the world,” Carney wrote.
“For millions of us, he was a familiar face in our living rooms. A reassuring voice in moments of uncertainty. A calm and steady presence through the moments that shaped our nation.”
In a post on X, former prime minister Justin Trudeau described Robertson as “a Canadian icon,” and said his death is “an incredible loss for our country.”
Robertson is being remembered by his colleagues as a trusted and beloved journalist.
“Lloyd left an indelible mark on both CTV News and Canadian journalism,” said Richard Gray, VP News, Bell Media, in a statement Tuesday.
“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.”
‘Truly, genuinely interested in what people had to say’
CTV National News’ Chief Anchor Omar Sachedina said he’ll remember Robertson’s guidance and kindness.
“Over the past few years, he would often send me emails from time to time – words of encouragement, words of reassurance – and he would also, at times, give me constructive criticism, which I would always welcome because he is the master, after all,” Sachedina said with a smile.
“We will miss him. We will miss him enormously.”
Sandie Rinaldo, anchor of CTV National News at 5:30, worked closely with Robertson for decades after meeting him for the first time in 1976.
Rinaldo recalled the buzz of excitement when the man whose booming voice “just filled the entire room” decided to join CTV News.
“What it did for us was raise our level of not just professionalism, but in the eye of the viewer, we had reached the pinnacle when Lloyd decided he would join us. And for me he was not just a mentor, but he was a man I looked up to for so many reasons.”
Joining CTV Your Morning from Bracebridge, Ont., Rinaldo said she remembers Robertson as an ambassador.
“Whenever he went out and did any appearances on behalf of the network, he was not just a consummate professional but he was generous of spirit. He was kind, he would lean in and listen to what people were saying, and he was truly, genuinely interested in what people had to say. He was an everyman, even though he had achieved so much success in his lifetime, and he was the kind of person who would sit down and really have a conversation with you and remember things.”
She said she’ll never forget when her husband died, and Robertson said at the end of the newscast, “We’re thinking of our Sandie today.” Rinaldo said the moment stuck with her, because “Lloyd would make sure that everything was done to perfection, but at the same time, he was a genuine, sweet, and kind, loving human being.”
CTV News Ottawa Bureau Chief Graham Richardson wrote of the privilege it was to work with the anchor known for his signature sign-off, “And that’s the kind of day it’s been.”
“He loved Canada and this great job we all get to do. I’m so sorry to hear about his passing at 92. Thank you Mr. Robertson,” Richardson said.
Lisa LaFlamme, former CTV National News chief anchor, posted a tribute to Robertson on Instagram, Tuesday night.
“Canada has lost a broadcast legend,” her post reads. “I have lost a teacher, a trusted friend, and someone who helped shape both my career and my life.”
She shared a photo of her and Robertson in the newsroom.
“This picture is from one of the best days of my career. Lloyd, after 40 years in ‘the big chair’ as he called it, so graciously passed the baton. It was so overwhelming and yet calming – because he was there.”
‘A front-row seat to history’
CTV News Chief Political Correspondent Vassy Kapelos shared a post from Richardson on Instagram, and highlighted a quote from Robertson’s obituary with three heart emojis.
The quote was from Robertson’s final broadcast as CTV National News anchor, back in 2011.
“For me, it’s been a rare privilege to have been able to serve in this position for so long. It’s been a front-row seat to history,” Robertson said at the time.
“Most of all it’s been fascinating to watch our country grow in confidence and stature.”
CTV News Toronto anchor Michelle Dubé wrote of her personal relationship with Robertson, “Canadians knew him as a broadcasting icon, but off the air, Lloyd Robertson was a genuinely kind and generous person.”
Sharing an email he’d sent her after an election broadcast noting Dubé’s warmth as an anchor, Dubé wrote that taking the time to recognize colleagues was “who Lloyd was… always encouraging others. I’ll always treasure it.”
TSN’s James Duthie sent his love to Robertson’s family and friends Tuesday in a social media post that included a memory from two decades ago.
“When Vancouver was awarded the Olympics in 2003, I was covering it in Prague. Lloyd Robertson saying my name and throwing it to me live was the coolest thing ever. Just an absolute legend. And a wonderful, kind man off camera.”
‘A champion of women’
Wendy Freeman, former president of CTV News, spoke to CP24 Wednesday morning about Robertson’s push for equality in the newsroom.
“He was an incredible man and I was so lucky to have worked with him for over 20 years. He was a real champion of women,” she said. “When I took over as the first woman executive producer of the CTV National News, it was really important to him that everybody really see that this young woman was now in charge of a newscast – at the time, there weren’t many women in newsrooms – and he would come into the newsroom all the time and he would call me ‘boss’ to make sure that everybody knew that I was the boss. It was really important for him that women be promoted at a time when women weren’t promoted.”
CTV News health journalist Avis Favaro called Robertson “honourable, kind, and so professional,” and said it was an “honour to have worked with him.”
Down-to-earth with ‘small-town values’
Journalist Don Martin, former host of CTV Power Play and columnist for CTVNews.ca, wrote of his former colleague that Robertson was “the class act of Canadian TV news.”
Robert Fife, former Ottawa bureau chief at CTV News and the Globe and Mail, also worked with Robertson for several years.
In an interview with CP24 Wednesday, he said, “If you asked for any kind of help, he would mentor you.”
Fife, initially a print journalist, recalled feeling nervous when he moved to television and live on-air coverage.
“He was so kind. He would just say, ‘Take a deep breath, relax.’ He shepherded me through to being a television journalist, and it took some work on his behalf,” Fife said with a laugh. The pair would clash occasionally, he said, but Robertson would think about it on his dinner break and admit when he felt he was wrong.
Fife said he will remember Robertson as a “real newsman” who “loved scoops” and human-interest stories.
“One of the reasons why his newscast was so successful and the No. 1 newscast in the country is that he made sure that it was very balanced and fair,” the former CTV News journalist and host said.
He praised Robertson’s “small-town values” of honesty, fairness, compassion, and being down-to-earth. Even when Fife left CTV News, Robertson would call him or send a congratulatory note, praising his recent work.
Anton Koschany worked with Robertson on CTV News’ documentary program W5. The former W5 executive producer and current CTV News election consultant said Robertson would use conversations to build up others, focusing on their strengths rather than his own accomplishments.
In an interview with CP24 Wednesday, Koschany recalled fondly Robertson’s reputation as a trusted journalist who kept his word, which helped secure interviews with major Canadian public figures.
‘Didn’t stand on the fact that he was a legend’
CTV News royal commentator Richard Berthelsen described Robertson as “gracious” and humble, despite his status in Canadian news media.
“The first time I met him, he called me by name,” Berthelsen told CP24 on Wednesday. “We probably had more interesting conversations off camera than on. … I wish sometimes that the camera had been rolling for those.”
Berthelsen said it was clear that everyone at CTV had “an enormous amount of respect” for Robertson based on how he interacted with staff.
“He didn’t stand on the fact that he was a legend or an icon,” Berthelsen recalled. “He was very approachable and very, very easy to talk to.”
Film critic Richard Crouse, a regular contributor to CTV News, remembered Robertson as “a wonderful man who brought ice cream for his news staff every Friday night, and always had a kind word.”
CTV News Atlantic special correspondent and former anchor Steve Murphy called Robertson “the gold standard for news anchors, the very best.”
Robert Hurst, another former president of CTV News, told CTV News Channel Wednesday that Robertson had a “fantastic” life.
“He had an impactful life, he was so instrumental in supporting so many of us. So I think, in many ways, this is a moment of celebration,” he said.
‘Fearless and fair’
Robertson was remembered in social media posts from a range of public figures, including politicians and journalists.
Minister of Artificial Intelligence Evan Solomon, a former host of CTV Power Play and Question Period, said, “There was no one like Lloyd. He was the consummate journalist and broadcaster, always hardworking, fearless and fair… He was a mentor to many, and a true friend to the country.”
Montreal City Coun. Leslie Roberts, a former CTV News anchor, remembered Robertson’s kindness.
‘Lloyd was a GOAT’
Peter Mansbridge, former chief correspondent for CBC News, described his relationship with Robertson as friends, more than rivals.
“We were competitors, there’s no doubt about that, but we were friends and it went back a long way,” Mansbridge told CP24. He said he did his first news special with Robertson back in 1970, when Robertson was still with the CBC.
“He took a lot of time and trouble ensuring that I was comfortable doing what I was doing,” he said.
“In the sports world they talk about GOATS, right? Greatest of All Time? Lloyd was a GOAT. He was our GOAT in the broadcast business. He was the greatest of all time, and he will remain that way.”
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May called the anchor a “superior broadcaster” and “true gentleman,” while CBC anchor Ian Hanomansing said there was “so much” he treasures about Robertson.
Pamela Wallin, Canadian senator and former journalist, thanked Robertson for the time they spent together at CTV News.
“Lloyd Roberston was a friend, a colleague and a generous mentor!” she wrote on social media early Wednesday morning.
“Thank you Lloyd for all the years….and for your wise words and guidance.”
Others recalled Robertson’s kindness, gracious nature, and dedication to his work.
Share your memories
As Carney said, Robertson was the “familiar face in our living rooms” for many Canadians.
As condolences pour in, we want to hear from you.
Maybe you knew Robertson well or met him at an event. Maybe your memories are of his distinct voice and the touch of humanity he brought to his nightly newscasts.
Does a particular moment or coverage of a crucial point in history stand out in your mind?
Share your story by emailing us at dotcom@bellmedia.ca with your name, general location and phone number in case we want to follow up. Your comments may be used in a CTVNews.ca story.
