TORONTO– Citytv is honouring award-winning veteran Toronto news anchor Gord Martineau for 35 years of dedication and service. Currently the anchor of Citytv’s flagship newscast, CityNews at Six, Martineau joined Citytv in September 1977 and has grown to become an iconic brand of the station, and one of Toronto’s most recognized news anchors.
At CityNews Martineau has covered events ranging from the Toronto blackout to the Toronto Blue Jays World Series wins. He has reported overseas on the ground from earthquake-ravaged Haiti and was with Canada’s troops on the front lines in Afghanistan. In April 2007, Martineau received a lifetime achievement award from the RTNDA for 40 years in broadcasting.
“Gord’s commitment to delivering world-class news to Torontonians is evident in the passion he brings to his newscasts,” said John Hinnen, Vice-President of News, Rogers Media. “Gord is a true leader in this community and we couldn’t be more proud to have him as part of our leading news team.”
Noted for outstanding charity work, Martineau has been associated with the Kidney Foundation, the Kid's Helpline, the Fred Victor Centre, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Mount Sinai Hospital, the Ireland Fund and most notably, the Herbie Fund. The fund helps bring children from around the world to The Hospital for Sick Children for life-saving or life-altering surgeries. Martineau has personally escorted children in need of life-saving surgery from countries as far away as the Philippines to the hospital.
“I am honoured to be recognized by my extended Citytv family for my 35 years of service,” said Martineau. "Citytv has always given its reporters latitude, thereby providing the opportunity to report events from different perspectives which produces great journalism."
Viewers can watch footage from some of Martineau’s early years at Citytv, as part of a five-part series to celebrate Citytv’s 40th anniversary on September 28. The special coverage will begin airing Monday, September 24 during the newscasts on CityNews at Five, CityNews at Six and CityNews Tonight on Citytv and CityNews Channel. The series will look back on the evolution of Citytv, and feature highlights of the station’s most memorable moments.
