Beverly Thomson
Born (1966-04-15) April 15, 1966 (age 57)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
NationalityCanadian
Alma materYork University
Seneca College
OccupationJournalist

Beverly D. Thomson CM (born April 15, 1966) is a Canadian journalist and correspondent with CTV News Channel. Along with Seamus O'Regan, Thomson was co-host of Canada AM, CTV's former national morning show, from 2003 to 2016. In 2006, she received the Gemini Humanitarian Award.

Early life and education

Thomson was born on April 15[1] in Toronto, Ontario and attended York University and Seneca College, where she majored in broadcast journalism.[2] After graduating in 1987, she received the school's Distinguished Alumni Award in 2000[3] and the Ontario Premier's Award for Creative Arts & Design in 2003.[4]

Career

Upon graduating from Seneca College, Thomson worked at a Newmarket radio station and at CFTO Toronto as an anchor on the weekend news program.[2] She then moved to Global affiliate CIII as the anchor of both the 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m from 1997 to 2003 weeknight news broadcasts. It was during this time that Thomson was diagnosed with breast cancer and became the subject of a documentary called There Is No Fear, focusing on her recovery.[2] In July 2003, Thomson was chosen as the replacement for Lisa LaFlamme on CTV's Canada AM,[5] however, was delayed due to a dispute between CTV and Global TV. Her former employer argued that Thomson had three years left on her exclusive contract but was able to settle out of court.[6] As a result of the settlement, Thomson was allowed to make her Canada AM debut on November 3, 2003.[7] Three years after her Canada AM debut, Thompson was the recipient of the 2006 Gemini Humanitarian Award.[8] In 2009, Thomson was appointed by Tom McGrath as the first Canadian National Ambassador for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.[9]

While with CTV News, Thomson co-hosted their Olympic Morning program during the 2010 Winter Olympics and reported on the First inauguration of Barack Obama.[10] After Canada AM was canceled in 2016, she continued with the network.[11] In 2019, Thomson was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for "outstanding contributions to Canada’s broadcasting industry and volunteerism."[12]

She also made a cameo appearance on Corner Gas episode "Gopher It" (Season 4, Episode 19 [1]) as the co-host of Canada AM where she and Wanda were shown to have clear dislike for each other on live tv.

Personal life

Thomson and her ex-husband Rob Dale have two children together.[2]

Upon her diagnosis with breast cancer, Thomson became an active figure with several Canadian charities. She was appointed the official spokesperson for the Ontario branch of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation[13] and received their Voice of the Foundation Award.[14]

References

  1. ^ @Marcilen (April 15, 2018). "Happy birthday to my dear friends, @bdthomson and @jeffhutcheson. Love you. Miss you" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ a b c d Hampson, Sarah (December 20, 2003). "Beverly's balancing act". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  3. ^ "The Distinguished Alumni Award". senecaalumni.ca. Archived from the original on July 19, 2006. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  4. ^ "The Ontario Premier's Award". senecaalumni.ca. Archived from the original on July 19, 2006. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  5. ^ "LaFlamme Moves Up". Medicine Hat News. Medicine Hat, Alberta. July 30, 2003.Free access icon
  6. ^ "Beverly Thomson case settled out of court". Toronto: Globe and Mail. August 22, 2003. Archived from the original on April 21, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  7. ^ "Thomson dispute settled". Medicine Hat News. Winnipeg. August 23, 2003.Free access icon
  8. ^ "CBC-TV picks up lion's share of Gemini Awards". Globe and Mail. October 16, 2006. Archived from the original on April 21, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  9. ^ "Broadcaster named National Ambassador" (PDF). dukeofed.org. 2009. p. 1. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  10. ^ "Beverly Thomson". ctvnews.ca. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  11. ^ "'Canada AM' to sign off after 43 years of morning television". globalnews.ca. June 2, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  12. ^ "CTV News Channel's Beverly Thomson Named to the Order of Canada". bellmedia.ca. December 27, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  13. ^ "Premier's Awards recognize outstanding college graduates". ogov.newswire.ca. February 23, 2004. Archived from the original on January 27, 2006. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  14. ^ "Volunteer Awards Ceremony". newswire.ca. April 18, 2010. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
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