CTV Toronto's Christine Bentley to Step Down, Sept. 14

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TORONTO, Sept. 12, 2012 /CNW/ - After marking 35 years with CTV News, veteran news anchor Christine Bentley is stepping down this coming Friday, Sept. 14, it was announced tonight on CTV NEWS AT SIX. CTV Toronto presents special tributes to Bentley for the rest of the week, leading up to her final broadcast on Friday.

** Media Note ** Download photos of Christine Bentley at ctvmedia.ca

"It's been an absolute privilege to serve this community for 35 years," said Bentley. "I am so grateful to our viewers who have welcomed me so openly into their lives and living rooms over these years. I am so proud to be part of the team at CTV Toronto, and now look forward to now pursuing other opportunities and passions."

"Many Torontonians would be hard-pressed to remember a time without Christine Bentley delivering their news," said Paul Rogers, Sr. Vice-President, CTV News. "We thank Christine for her years of dedicated service and professionalism, and wish her every good fortune. She will be missed."

An announcement about a replacement will be made in the coming days.

Bentley has been part of the CTV News family since 1977. Starting as a general assignment reporter, she was soon assigned to City Hall and later Queen's Park, covering numerous municipal and provincial elections. Her next career move took her behind the anchor desk, first on weekends and later as the popular co-host of CTV's NIGHTBEAT NEWS AT 11:30 for more than a decade.

Bentley is the recipient of the "Career Achievement Award" from Women In Film and Television, and the Toastmasters International "Communication and Leadership" award for outstanding service to her community, country, and industry. She was chosen "Woman of the Year" by Consumers' Choice Awards Canada, an organization that promotes business excellence in the GTA and across the country. Bentley is also a recipient of the Paul Harris fellowship award for community service presented by the Rotary Club Canada.

An active volunteer in the Toronto community, Bentley served on the Board of Governors for Centenary Health Centre for more than 10 years, and has been active with numerous charities, including CTV's Toy Mountain and the Canadian Cancer Society. After many years on their board, Bentley is now an ambassador-at-large for the Children's Wish Foundation. As Honourary Chair of Habitat for Humanity, she has been actively involved in the push for affordable housing for all. Bentley's support has extended to the Baycrest Centre and MS Society, as well as the McEwen Centre for stem cell research.

About CTV News
CTV News is Canada's most-watched news organization both locally and nationally and has a network of national, international and local news operations. CTV News operations include CTV NEWS CHANNEL, BNN - Business News Network, CP24, and information programming, including CTV NATIONAL NEWS WITH LISA LAFLAMME, CANADA AM, W5, POWER PLAY and QUESTION PERIOD. With a perspective that is distinctly Canadian, CTV News brings Canadians the international and domestic news stories of the day and is the #1 news organization in Canada.

About CTV
CTV is Canada's largest private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV is Canada's most-watched television network. CTV is a division of Bell Media, Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital. Bell Media is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. More information about CTV can be found on the network's website at ctv.ca.

SOURCE: CTV News

Renee Dupuis, Sr. Communications Manager, CTV 416-384-3154, [email protected]