Toronto, ON – (June 9, 2020) – RTDNA Canada is pleased to honour Ken Shaw with an RTDNA Canada Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding service and continued excellence in his journalism career.
“Ken Shaw is a Toronto icon and institution,” said RTDNA Canada President, Fiona Conway. “RTDNA is proud to recognize Ken’s contributions to his community, and to journalism at CTV News. On-air and in the newsroom, Ken was a leader and mentor. Off the air, he contributed tirelessly to his community. Congratulations Ken!”
A special video celebrating Ken’s incredible career contributions is available below.
Ken Shaw made his first foray into broadcasting in 1972 when he became a technical trainee for Baton Broadcasting, which later became part of CTV. From these humble beginnings, he became a co-writer and actor for the sitcom SHH! IT’S THE NEWS.
As a reporter, he was first on scene to cover the aftermath of the Mississauga train derailment in 1979, an event that triggered the largest evacuation in Canadian history. A year later, he travelled to New York City to cover the death of John Lennon.
In April 2001, he became co-anchor of the weekday newscasts, CTV News Toronto at Noon, and CTV News Toronto at Six, where he guided viewers through countless elections, the coverage of the G20 Summit in 2010, the Eaton Centre shooting in 2012, the Rob Ford years, the deadly van attack in 2018, and the mass shooting on the Danforth later that same year.
Shaw has been an institution in the CTV News Toronto newsroom. His colleagues say that he has become a friend and a mentor to everyone who has worked with him, both in front of and behind the camera.
Off-air, Shaw devotes a great deal of time and energy to various local charities and community events, and has served as emcee for more than 1000 community and charitable events over the years. Shaw is an Honourary Chief of the Toronto Police Service, and a past director of Variety Village; the Empire Club of Canada; the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Canada; ProAction Cops & Kids; The Duke of Edinburgh Awards; and The Hinks Dellcrest Centre.
An avid golfer, Shaw and his wife Nancy host the annual “Nancy and Ken Shaw Charity Golf Tournament,” raising funds for Providence Healthcare. Shaw also served as chair of the Abilities Centre, as the organization worked to build the 125,000-square-foot “Centre of Excellence” in Whitby, Ontario, to assist people of all ages with special needs. The Centre officially opened in May 2012.
In 2010, Shaw received the Order of Ontario for his track record of excellence in volunteer service in the Greater Toronto Area, as well as the Legends Recognition Award from the City of Oshawa, an award for outstanding positive impacts on the Oshawa community. In 2012, Shaw received an honourary Doctor of Laws from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.
Toronto Mayor John Tory declared Jan. 6, 2020 as “Ken Shaw Day” in honour of his final newscast.
Shaw will remain a special contributor at CTV News providing occasional reports on important issues like climate change.