Thomson’s 30-year career as a journalist started in radio news in Newmarket, ON and 680 CFTR, before she arrived at CFTO Toronto as a reporter and weekend anchor. From there, she moved over to Global News Toronto as the weeknight, supper-hour anchor from 1997 to 2003. It was that year, that she received her initial breast cancer diagnosis, which she covered in the documentary, Where There Is No Fear, becoming an official spokesperson for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Thomson returned to CTV in late 2003 as host of Canada AM, while still undergoing chemotherapy. After a 13-run year with the morning show, she landed on the anchor desk at CTV News Channel in 2016, following Canada AM’s cancellation.

“People would ask us all the time if Beverly Thomson was as nice off-camera as she was on Canada AM. Well, she was. She was also a total pro, a committed and passionate journalist who persevered at work and in life,” wrote former Canada AM colleagues Jeff Hutcheson, Marci Ien and Seamus O’Regan, in a statement posted to social media. “She could scrap with politicians and give as good as she got. She always read the book and did the research. But she led, first and foremost, with empathy. Many of the guests we’d have on were ordinary Canadians telling their stories. She’d comfort them before the camera came on, she’d listen to their every word, she’d hold their hand during the commercial break. She would get the most extraordinary interviews, and she’s never betray their trust.”

Thomson continued to fight cancer off and on, with the disease recurring seven years into her time with Canada AM.

In 2019, Thomson was named a Member of the Order of Canada. She received Seneca College’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2000 and the Ontario Premier’s Award for Creative Arts & Design in 2003. She was the 2006 recipient of the Humanitarian Award from the Gemini Awards (now Canadian Screen Awards). In 2009, she was appointed by the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, as the National Ambassador for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. In 2024, she was recognized with an RTDNA National Lifetime Achievement Award.

Among other charitable endeavours, Thomson lent her time to the Seneca College Broadcast Communications Advisory Board, the Hospital for Sick Children, Children’s Aid, and Charles H. Best Diabetes Foundation.

The post Longtime news anchor Beverly Thomson loses battle with breast cancer appeared first on Broadcast Dialogue.

Unifor announced late Wednesday that 45 of its members working at the network in Alberta and B.C. had been subjected to layoffs, with an additional member impacted in the Eastern bargaining unit. Of the 46 jobs affected, the union said 26 are journalists.

A Corus spokesperson told Broadcast Dialogue on Thursday that the new round of layoffs is just the latest measure taken as part of an ongoing efficiency review process.

“As part of our efficiency review process across Corus, we have made some difficult but necessary changes to create a more sustainable future for the company and our News division,” the spokesperson said, in an emailed statement. “We are applying new workflows and ways of working, using the latest technology that will enable us to pave the way forward for the future of Global News. As a result, certain roles within some stations have been impacted.”

“Corus’ commitment to serving our audience across the country remains stronger than ever, and we will continue to tell important local news stories that matter to Canadians,” she added. “Corus is committed to providing information to our audiences and remain dedicated to upholding our responsibility as a trusted new source.”

In its Q3 earnings report in June, the company said it was anticipating a further year-over-year TV advertising revenue decline of 20% in Q4, citing geopolitical and economic uncertainty and an over-supply of premium digital video inventory from foreign competitors.

Corus slashed employee costs by seven per cent in the third quarter. The company last undertook major layoffs in the Global News division in August 2024 that resulted in more resource-sharing between the Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge TV newsrooms, among other changes. The company reorganized its Audio division in August 2023, and this past June made a sweeping round of layoffs that primarily impacted its Ottawa radio properties. The company has also paused new productions at its children’s content studio, Nelvana.

Corus shares on the TSX on Thursday morning were trading down slightly, hovering around nine cents.

The post Corus confirms layoffs at Global News as it eyes sustainability appeared first on Broadcast Dialogue.

According to the union, the cuts have impacted members in B.C. and Alberta, with one member in the Eastern bargaining unit. Of the 46 jobs impacted, 26 are journalists.

“The most recent Global News layoffs are a devastating blow to local news across the country and to our democracy,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne, in a statement. “We will support our members through this difficult and uncertain time.”

A source to Broadcast Dialogue said the main teams hit at Global BC, included those working in online, as well as techs and part-time editors.

More to come.

The post Unifor confirms 45 layoffs at Global News in B.C., Alberta appeared first on Broadcast Dialogue.