Bold opening: CJAD 800 isn’t just a radio station; it’s a Montreal institution that has shaped English-language broadcasting for eight decades—and its story isn’t finished yet.
Montreal’s own CJAD 800 marks 80 years on air this Monday, adding another chapter to a hall of fame that traces back to a station with a mission: serve the English-speaking community with local news and thoughtful dialogue, no matter how much the media landscape shifts. This anniversary isn’t just a date on the calendar; it’s a reminder of resilience, tenacity, and the power of a trusted voice in a city of many voices.
When Trudie Mason joined CJAD more than forty years ago, she saw how crude tape editing used to be—razor blades and Scotch tape—yet the core goal remained the same: accurate, timely reporting that people could rely on. That legacy continues at The Gazette, which has stood by its readers for over 245 years, delivering English-language coverage on issues that matter. Subscribing unlocks unlimited online access to award-winning journalism, the chance to engage in a moderated comments community, support for local journalists and the next generation of reporters, and access to the Montreal Gazette ePaper on any device so you can share and comment.
CJAD’s longevity is attributed to steadfast advocacy as much as to journalistic skill. Long-time host Andrew Carter credits proactive management—leaders who understood what CJAD stood for and who fought to protect it when budgets were tight. That protective instinct helped CJAD weather industry upheavals that shuttered other stations across Montreal and Canada.
Behind the microphone, Mason, Carter, and news director Chris Bury have witnessed Montreal and Quebec history in real time: the Oka Crisis, the Polytechnique massacre, the 2012 election-night assassination attempt, referendums, and the devastating 1998 ice storm. Mason recalls the ice storm as a turning point for newsroom endurance—power lost, transmitters iced over, and staff bundled in jackets to keep reporting going from a resilient newsroom powered by a backup generator.
Bury highlights Lac‑Mégantic as a standout memory: scrambling through a weekend to cover the disaster, then delivering live, comprehensive coverage from a relief coordination center, which culminated in national recognition for CJAD’s broadcast team.
As CJAD celebrated its 70th anniversary, the station unveiled a Wall of Fame, honoring icons like George Balcan, Gord Sinclair, and Ted Blackman, immortalized by The Gazette’s cartoonist, Aislin. Now, for its 80th, the Wall is poised to add another face from CJAD’s remarkable history as the station hosts a party and streams special programming to the public.
If you’re new to CJAD, here’s what makes it more than nostalgia:
- It remains one of the few enduring English-language talk stations in Quebec, a testament to the importance of local voices in public dialogue.
- It’s a platform that has consistently balanced reportage with community engagement, offering readers and listeners a space to share perspectives in a moderated, civically minded environment.
- Its history demonstrates how journalism isn’t just about reporting events; it’s about sustaining trust, serving a community, and adapting with integrity when technologies and audiences evolve.
Controversial insight to consider: some may argue that a single station can’t capture Montreal’s diverse linguistic realities, and others might push back on the belief that English-language media should be preserved at all costs. How do you weigh the value of longstanding institutions like CJAD against efforts to broaden multilingual media in a metropolis that thrives on multicultural exchange? Do you think CJAD’s model should influence today’s newsrooms worldwide, or should it adapt further to a bilingual or multilingual audience?
Whether you’ve grown up with CJAD as a morning companion or you’re discovering it anew, the station’s 80-year milestone invites reflection on the role of local media in shaping a city’s identity and civic life. Do you have a CJAD moment you’d like to share in the comments?
