Graham Richardson, the senior news anchor at CTV News at Six, announced during the news broadcast yesterday, Thursday, that he will leave the anchor's office to pursue new opportunities outside of media.

 Richardson said on air: "This is my choice. I just turned 54 years old. I have another opportunity outside of broadcasting that I will seize."

It has been an incredible honor to tell your stories, especially over the past fifteen years here at CTV Ottawa and nearly 20 years with CTV News.  A highlight of my journalism career has been working with Bob Fife and alongside him in our parliamentary bureau at CTV National News and all these years here with you.  CTV News will always remain my home."

 This announcement comes after a remarkable broadcasting career that spanned 31 years.  Richardson's final broadcast will be on Friday, July 5, at 6 PM.  ET on CTV Ottawa.

 Richardson said: "I have decided that the time has come for me to make a change. I want to thank CTV News and our wonderful team here in Ottawa for giving me such a rewarding and fulfilling broadcasting career."  "I am grateful for the guidance and support of the leadership team at CTV Ottawa, and across the network, over many years. I would also like to extend a special thank you to all the viewers and listeners in Ottawa/Gatineau and across Canada.

He added   There is a very strong and talented team here at CTV Ottawa in Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec, and I know they will continue the great tradition of telling the most important stories from around the region.

Graham has been an exceptional anchor and leader  at CTV News Ottawa.  Judy Hamilton, the Director of Operations at Local Broadcasting and Television in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario at Bell Media, said:

She noted: "We will miss his passion and unwavering commitment to our editorial programs across television and radio and digital television." "Graham has played a key role in the success of our local news coverage, and we wish him the greatest success in his new career endeavors outside of broadcasting."

 Peter Angione, Director of News and Information Programming at Bell Media Ottawa, said: "Graham is one of the best storytellers in our business. We will miss his passion and his pursuit of providing the best local news coverage, every day." 

He added: "We are saddened to see Graham leave, but we are overjoyed for him as he takes on a new challenge and begins a new chapter."

 Richardson joined CTV News Ottawa in January 2010, after nearly four years covering Parliament for CTV National News.  He has covered many major news stories for viewers, including the 2022 Freedom Convoy protests, the 2022 derecho storm, the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns, the 2018 Ottawa tornado, and many more.

During his time in Parliament, Richardson traveled around the world to cover important stories related to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.  He reported from Kandahar;  G8 meetings in Germany and Japan;  official visits to India, Singapore, the Czech Republic, Poland, and the United Nations headquarters in New York.  Before his appointment to Parliament, Richardson was the Los Angeles bureau chief for CTV News, where he covered the Michael Jackson trial, Hurricane Katrina, shuttle landings, the Mexican elections, and the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

 Richardson said: "This team here at CTV Ottawa is still big and strong and committed to telling your stories. And of course, that will not change."  "I will have much to say in my final show in July. I look forward to my last weeks here, as always, holding up a mirror to this community every day, just as we have done for over 60 years."