CBC Montreal’s Television News will be losing one of its co-anchors exclusive news I sadly must report that the truly wonderful Jennifer Hall (below right) has given her notice and will leave in June. News Director Mary Jo Barr confirmed to me that she is already keeping her eyes open for another female to team up with the young and talented Andrew Chang.
“It is definitely with mixed emotions that I leave this fabulous team at CBC Montreal,” Jennifer shared with me. “For reasons that have everything to do with family, we have decided we need to move back to Southwestern Ontario. As a family, we have embraced all the wonderful experiences the West Island has to offer and we've truly enjoyed our time here. It's so easy to fall in love with Montreal. I've also felt privileged to work as a journalist with the best newscast in town. I will miss my CBC family terribly but will never be too far out of touch.”
Barr sounded understandably sad. “We will miss her dearly,” she commented. “ She is a strong journalist and a warm and engaging anchor. She has been a ray of sunshine in our newsroom. She is witty and gracious to everyone. I know this was a difficult decision for her to make.”
Hall joined the team at CBC Montreal from Parliament Hill, where she was national affairs reporter for CTVglobemedia's 'A' network. Prior to that, she was both host and producer of the provincial current affairs program Inquiry with Jennifer Hall. Her move to the anchor desk was familiar territory, as she held the role for many of the previous 20 years.
Does she have a job lined up in the London, Ontario area? “Since this truly was a decision about family, I decided to plan my next move later,” she confides. “ I do have some exciting ideas I will pursue in the months ahead.”
I got to know Hall since she arrived in my role as the head of communications and marketing for the English Montreal School Board. She is a very involved anchor, actively pursuing stories and feature ideas of her own. When I asked her to come speak at a high school Career Day she did not hesitate to agree and the kids really liked what she had to say.
Thank goodness CBC resigned weather forecaster Frank Cavallaro, who brought aboard a nice following of his own.
