Bernard Derome

Bernard Derome

Bernard Derome, journalist and moderator (b at Montréal, 1944). A key figure on television news in Québec and Canada, Bernard Derome has become a benchmark for francophone audiences, who associate him with major historical events of the past three decades. Following classical studies at Saint-Viateur and Collège Saint-Laurent, Bernard Derome was only 20 when he got his first television job in 1963, at Station CJBR in Rimouski. He joined Radio-Canada in 1965 and initially worked for the CBC news service at station CBOFT in Ottawa, before contributing to national news broadcasts from Montréal, such as Présent and Aujourd'hui, over the next four years.

In the autumn of 1970, Bernard Derome became the anchor of Le Téléjournal, a position he would occupy for 25 years. He was then called on to moderate all special broadcasts dedicated to the 1970 Québec October Crisis. The precision and concentration that he demonstrated in particularly difficult situations associated him in the minds of the public with the coverage of such major events as the Québec referendums of 1980 and 1995, and some 23 federal and municipal elections.

In addition to hosting numerous other programs and series (Ce soir, L'Enjeu, Une question de pays, Réflexions sur une petite planète), Bernard Derome appeared on most special television broadcasts on the CBC and the News Channel as a national and international personality.

His acknowledged career path was highlighted by several awards: the prix Olivar-Asselin (1981), Grand Prize from the Canadian Academy of Film and Television (1992), a trophy from the Métrostar Gala (1999), and Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Journalism Foundation. He is also a Member of the Order of Canada (1999).