Longtime CTV News anchor Lloyd Robertson has died at the age of 92, the network is reporting.
Robertson died Tuesday night, according to his family, the network said. No cause of death was given.
“A true giant. Canada has lost a broadcast legend,” said Lisa LaFlamme, his successor as CTV National News anchor, said on Instagram. “This truly is the end of an era.”
Robertson retired in 2016, after a long career that began at a radio station in Stratford, Ont,, his hometown, in 1952. He spent about 20 years at CBC before moving to CTV in 1976. He became solo anchor in 1984, and kept the job until 2011.
“In 1984, to me, it was the equivalent of being knighted,” he said later, according to CTV. “I was made senior editor of the newscast.”
Then-prime minister Stephen Harper called in “the end of an era” when Robertson signed off as anchor in 2011. He continued as a host of W5 until 2016, CTV reported.
Tributes to Robertson flooded social media Tuesday night from fellow journalists, politicians and ordinary Canadians.
“His passing truly marks the end of an era for Canadians from all walks of life,” Senator Leo Housakos said in a widely shared sentiment.
“There was no one like Lloyd,” Evan Solomon, the federal minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation, and a former CTV and CBC broadcaster, said on the X social media site.
“He was the consummate journalist and broadcaster, always hardworking, fearless and fair. I once asked him for his advice, and what made his CTV newscast so trusted and popular. He said his motto was always: “be first and be friendly.” He was both. He was also trusted. He was a mentor to many, and a true friend to the country. RIP to the ultimate broadcaster, a leader and a gentleman.”
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