An important page in the history of Quebec television was turned when Pierre Bruneau announced, during tonight’s newscast, that he will be retiring following half a century of journalism, including 46 years as TVA antenna.
• Read also: Tributes pour in following announcement of Pierre Bruneau’s retirement
It will remain on the air until June 16, shortly following celebrating its 70th birthday. We will then see him once more during two electoral meetings in the fall, and then it will be the end.
Screenshot, VAT
The newscaster when announcing his retirement.
The time had come, he told his loyal viewers. “I like a little shade, to enjoy life with Ginette and my family. »
He wanted to quit a few years ago, but the pandemic and the war convinced him to delay his release.
“I’m relieved,” he told the Journalminutes following delivering today’s news.
“I gave what I had to give. People have always been behind me, the proof is that we are still number 1 in the ratings. »
Photo archives, Pierre-Paul Poulin
Over the years, Pierre Bruneau has always been “in love” with his profession.
His career, he reported, spanned six decades. “I was there for all the major events that have marked Quebec since the election of the Parti Québécois in 1976,” said the man whose reply “rigor, rigor, rigor”, in response to an error made by Radio-Canada. on election night in 2007 went down in history.
Photo archives, Chantal Poirier
Ginette and Pierre have devoted part of their lives to the Charles-Bruneau Foundation.
Politicians salute him
Obviously, the reactions fused.
“It’s the end of an era”, wrote on Twitter the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, remembering that Pierre Bruneau had “put him on the spot once or twice”.
The Premier of Quebec, François Legault, the Mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, the Mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand, and several other politicians praised its merits, which made Mr. Bruneau smile.
“To do our job well, we have to respect the people who sit in front of us. Even though sometimes you can be tough, they will always come back to you. »
An exceptional career
Pierre Bruneau began his career as a journalist at CFDA radio in Victoriaville in 1972. After a stint at CJTR Trois-Rivières radio, he began working at CKAC Montreal from 1973 to 1980.
He joined TVA (Télé-Métropole at the time) in 1976 as news anchor.
From 1978, he held the reins of the TVA 12 h as well as bulletins at 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m., LCN and VAT.
“Pierre, you are an exceptional man, respected by your peers and loved by the public. It was an honor to count you in the big Quebecor family,” summed up very well the interim President and Chief Executive Officer of Groupe TVA, Pierre Karl Péladeau.
– With QMI Agency
An exceptional career
Photo d’archives, Agence QMI
The host has won numerous career awards.
- 23 Artis trophies
- Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 2002
- Awarded the Order of Merit from the Canadian Association of Broadcasters in 2003
- Decorated with the National Order of Quebec in 2008
- Decorated with the Order of Canada in 2012
- Prix Raymond-Charette in 2021 for having known how to stand out for the precision of his language, the richness of his vocabulary as well as the clarity of his expression.
His message to listeners
« Now, I would like to take these next few minutes to tell you regarding a very big decision. I have been thinking regarding retirement for a long time, I had actually set a date a few years ago, but the pandemic of the past two years and now the war in Ukraine have delayed the process. I know, however, that the time has come. I informed TVA management that I was going to leave at the end of the year. I will continue to host the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts until the summer. I will be there in the fall for the face-to-face of the leaders and the Québec 2022 election evening. In the meantime, that will give TVA management the time and the opportunity to choose the person they want to see replace me. There is a very good succession in our team.
I still have a passion for the job. Coming to work has never been a chore for me. On the contrary, it’s a daily pleasure, but following 45 years in the spotlight of TVA, 50 years of journalism, I feel like a little shade, to enjoy life with Ginette and mine. I have health and more, I have simple happiness in my life…”
–Pierre Bruneau
► Read the biography of Pierre Bruneau “Same time, same position”
