Veteran Canadian broadcaster Lloyd Robertson, one of the country’s most respected television journalists and the longtime chief anchor of CTV National News, has died at the age of 92, his family confirmed.
Robertson’s broadcasting career spanned more than six decades, beginning in 1952 at a local radio station in Stratford, Ontario. He joined CBC Television in 1954 before moving to CTV in 1976, where he became co-anchor of CTV National News. In 1984, he took over as chief anchor and senior news editor, a role he held until his retirement in 2011.
Throughout his distinguished career, Robertson reported on some of the defining events of modern history, including the Apollo 11 Moon landing, the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the September 11 terrorist attacks. Reflecting on his career during his final broadcast, he described it as “a front-row seat to history” and said it had been a privilege to witness Canada’s growth and evolution.
After stepping down from the anchor desk in 2011, Robertson continued to contribute to Canadian journalism by co-hosting W5 until 2016 and regularly appearing as a commentator on CTV News Channel.
Known for his calm, authoritative delivery and editorial integrity, Robertson earned numerous honours during his career, including being named an Officer of the Order of Canada, receiving a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, and having a park in Markham named in his honour. He also turned down opportunities to enter politics and accept a Senate appointment.
Robertson was married to his high school sweetheart, Nancy, for nearly 70 years. They had four daughters and seven grandchildren. Generations of Canadians also remember his signature nightly sign-off: “And that’s the kind of day it’s been.”
