Longtime Canadian Broadcaster Beverly Thomson Dies After Cancer Battle
Michelle Milliken
Beverly Thomson, a mainstay in Canadian news for more than three decades, died on Sunday, September 14 after battling cancer for more than 20 years. She was 61.
Thomson got her start in radio but was best known for her time at CTV News, where she began as a reporter at CTV News Toronto and ultimately served as a national anchor in a variety of capacities. She was a celebrated interviewer, as well, speaking with everyone from politicians and athletes to musicians and an astronaut.
Richard Gray, vice president of news at Bell Media, said after her passing, “Bev Thomson was a trusted voice to Canadians and a valued teammate to all of us at CTV News.
“Bev’s natural on-air style created an immediate connection with viewers. For decades, she also made a significant impact across the country with her vocal support and advocacy for cancer charities. Bev will be dearly missed by all of us at CTV News. We extend our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones.”
Thomson was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 and quickly became an advocate for those battling the disease. In 2019, she was awarded the Order of Canada for her volunteer work for various breast cancer organizations, along with her broadcasting contributions. Five years later, she added on a lifetime achievement award from the Radio Television Digital News Association of Canada.
For 13 years, she worked as a morning show anchor on Canada AM. When she began her work there, in 2003, she was undergoing chemotherapy. In a joint statement, her co-hosts Marci Ien, Jeff Hutcheson, and Seamus O’Regan said she persevered through that and did so again when the cancer came back seven years later. They praised her dedication to her work, too, saying that when they asked what they could do to help, they knew the answer would be to “get on with the job.”
Their statement spoke on Thomson’s kindness, as well, saying, “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.
“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’d never betray their trust.”
In addition to her colleagues and friends, Thomson is survived by her husband Rob and children Taylor and Robbie.
You can watch CTV’s tribute to her in the video below.
