By Sean B. Pasternak
He is one of the single most recognized faces on Canadian television. Millions of viewers tune in each night to see CTV chief anchor Lloyd Robertson, as the broadcasting veteran reports back on the world around us. How has one person gained the respect and trust of the Canadian viewing masses?
"To me, longevity has a great deal to do with it," Robertson says. "I've been around for a long time, and I think that people understand that at the very least, if you've covered a number of stories over the years...you should know what you're talking about after all this time."
"I guess that adds a degree of respect, and I think that if you don't let people down - that is, if you do your best professionally all the way through - I think that's what builds respect and trust as well." Robertson adds modestly "I've tried to do that...I hope that's the reason for it."
Throughout his four-plus decades of broadcasting, Robertson truly has seen it all; royal weddings, state funerals Olympic games and elections are among the scores of events he has covered. He has hosted a variety of news specials, including in-depth looks at Hong Kong, China and Great Britain.
The two he says were his toughest assignments to cover, however, were the funeral of Terry Fox in 1981 and the last referendum in 1995.
Fox's funeral reached Robertson on a purely emotional level. "I was called upon to do the funeral out in Vancouver - and the CBC as a matter of fact was on strike at the time - so my broadcast went on both networks," he recalls. "When they carried the coffin out of the church and put it in the hearse; it was a sunny day in Vancouver and kind of steamy.
"I remember the hearse disappearing in the vapours of steam as it moved down the road, and what a compelling picture that was...I can recall choking up at the time."
Robertson considers the referendum formidable because of its historical impact. "The Canada we have known may have been on the verge of coming apart, and we would have been looking at some kind of new structure. Indeed, from what Jacques Parizeau has said since, that certainly would have been the case."
As the anchor and senior news editor for CTV, Robertson comes across many issues that affect the fifty plus community on programs such as CTV News and W FIVE . "We have a regular medical production unit going all the time, because over the last several years, people have become aware of leading healthier and fuller lives," he says.
"In fact, you can lead a fuller life if you keep yourself healthy. So we've concentrated on that aspect of serving our audience."
As well, consumer fraud, and in particular scams, is a topic that comes up quite frequently. "Stories keep turning up of how there are telephone scams... seniors are often the victims," Robertson reports. "These people are out there, they're ready to do damage to you, and you have to be aware of it. And it seems you can't say that loudly enough or often enough.
"I think people have to be aware they are vulnerable, and not everybody is out to extend goodwill to them. I'd be very, very careful and investigate these things thoroughly before you sign up."
Another hot topic which has begun to reach people over the past decade is the growing popularity of the Internet, which Robertson calls a 'wonderful research tool'. Has Robertson become addicted to the vast amount of information available on the Internet? "I'm not a regular surfer, no, but I have it, and I look at it frequently," he admits.
For his work in both the mass media and with charities such as the Hospital for Sick Children, Christmas Daddies and The Variety Club, Robertson was recently awarded with the prestigious Order of Canada. "I regard the Order of Canada as a personal as well as a professional award, because they judge you on lifetime contribution to your profession, yes, but also how you've used your public profile for the good of others," he says. "I believe that if you have a public profile - and you can do some good with that public profile - then it's your responsibility to do so as a good citizen."
Now at the age of 64, the Stratford, Ontario native is committed to work with CTV into the next century, and seems to be genuinely enjoying his lifestyle. Married to Nancy, his wife of over 40 years, Robertson relaxes (when he does find spare time) reading, golfing ("I'm a pretty bad golfer," he admits) and sometimes just spending time with his four grandchildren.
"I think it's important for people to keep their minds active, keep their bodies alive and keep going and enjoying life as long as you can," he suggests. "And I believe that's something that everyone would be well-served to pay attention to."
