Max Keeping
Encyclopedia
Winston Maxwell Keeping, CM
, O.Ont
, D.U., LLD known as Max Keeping, is a Canadian broadcaster. He is the former Vice-President of news
and public affairs at CJOH
where he was anchor of the local evening news broadcast from 1972 until his retirement in 2010. He currently acts as the station's Community Ambassador.
, Newfoundland
on 1 April 1942, and began his news career in the late 1950s. His early work was as sports director of the St. John's
Evening Telegram
, a post that he occupied at the age of 16. He then worked with the radio station VOCM
and CJCH in Halifax
.
Keeping moved to Ottawa in 1965, when he became a parliamentary
reporter first for CFRA
radio, and then for CTV
news. He assumed the role of news anchor at CJOH in November 1972, making him one of the longest-serving 6 o'clock news anchors in North America.
Keeping returned to Newfoundland in the fall of 1972 to run as a Progressive Conservative
in the October federal election
, in the riding of Burin—Burgeo
. He came in second place behind the Liberal incumbent, Don Jamieson
, with 25% of the vote. After the federal election, he returned to his former post at CJOH.
In his more than 40 years in Ottawa, Keeping has become a local celebrity. He has played an active role in many charitable drives
, both through his news station, and outside. He is the long-time Master of Ceremonies
of the CHEO
telethon. It is estimated that he has participated in the collection of more than $100 million in charitable donations in the Ottawa area. This earned him a 2003 Gemini Humanitarian Award. Most recently Keeping accepted a Doctorate of the University degree from the University of Ottawa
and an honorary post as Patron for Learning for a Cause
, a non-profit educational initiative which publishes and promotes the creative writing of high school students.
In 2003, Keeping announced on-air that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer
. He has since made a full recovery.
Keeping announced on 3 December 2009 that he would retire as news anchor after 26 March 2010. On the same newscast, it was announced that his replacement would be Graham Richardson
of CTV News
's parliamentary bureau, who appeared on the air with Keeping and fellow anchor Carol Anne Meehan
to make the announcement. After retirement, Keeping started a new job as the television station's "community ambassador."
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, O.Ont
Order of Ontario
The Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to...
, D.U., LLD known as Max Keeping, is a Canadian broadcaster. He is the former Vice-President of news
News
News is the communication of selected information on current events which is presented by print, broadcast, Internet, or word of mouth to a third party or mass audience.- Etymology :...
and public affairs at CJOH
CJOH-TV
CJOH-DT is a television station serving Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and the surrounding region. Owned by Bell Media, it is part of the CTV Television Network....
where he was anchor of the local evening news broadcast from 1972 until his retirement in 2010. He currently acts as the station's Community Ambassador.
Biography
Keeping was born in Grand BankGrand Bank, Newfoundland and Labrador
Grand Bank, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada or 'Grand Banc' as the first French settlers pronounced it, is a small rural town with a population of 2,580. It is located on the southern tip or "toe" of the Burin Peninsula , 360 km from the province's capital of St...
, Newfoundland
Dominion of Newfoundland
The Dominion of Newfoundland was a British Dominion from 1907 to 1949 . The Dominion of Newfoundland was situated in northeastern North America along the Atlantic coast and comprised the island of Newfoundland and Labrador on the continental mainland...
on 1 April 1942, and began his news career in the late 1950s. His early work was as sports director of the St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
Evening Telegram
The Telegram
The Telegram is a daily newspaper published in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.-History:The Evening Telegram was first published on April 3, 1879 by William James Herder. It adopted its current name in 1998, although it was also briefly published under this name in 1881...
, a post that he occupied at the age of 16. He then worked with the radio station VOCM
VOCM (AM)
VOCM is an AM radio station in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, broadcasting at 590 kHz. Owned by Newcap Radio, VOCM first went on the air in 1936. October 19, 2011 marks 75 years of broadcasting for VOCM...
and CJCH in Halifax
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
.
Keeping moved to Ottawa in 1965, when he became a parliamentary
Parliament of Canada
The Parliament of Canada is the federal legislative branch of Canada, seated at Parliament Hill in the national capital, Ottawa. Formally, the body consists of the Canadian monarch—represented by her governor general—the Senate, and the House of Commons, each element having its own officers and...
reporter first for CFRA
CFRA (AM)
CFRA is a Conservative talk radio station in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, owned by Bell Media. The station broadcasts at 580 kHz on the AM band.-History:...
radio, and then for CTV
CTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
news. He assumed the role of news anchor at CJOH in November 1972, making him one of the longest-serving 6 o'clock news anchors in North America.
Keeping returned to Newfoundland in the fall of 1972 to run as a Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
in the October federal election
Canadian federal election, 1972
The Canadian federal election of 1972 was held on October 30, 1972 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 29th Parliament of Canada. It resulted in a slim victory for the governing Liberal Party, which won 109 seats, compared to 107 seats for the opposition Progressive...
, in the riding of Burin—Burgeo
Burin—Burgeo
Burin—Burgeo was a federal electoral district in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1949 to 1979.This riding was created in 1949 when Newfoundland joined the Canadian Confederation....
. He came in second place behind the Liberal incumbent, Don Jamieson
Don Jamieson
Donald Campbell Jamieson, PC was a Canadian politician, diplomat and broadcaster.Jamieson was born in St. John's Newfoundland...
, with 25% of the vote. After the federal election, he returned to his former post at CJOH.
In his more than 40 years in Ottawa, Keeping has become a local celebrity. He has played an active role in many charitable drives
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
, both through his news station, and outside. He is the long-time Master of Ceremonies
Master of Ceremonies
A Master of Ceremonies , or compere, is the host of a staged event or similar performance.An MC usually presents performers, speaks to the audience, and generally keeps the event moving....
of the CHEO
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario is a major children's hospital and university teaching hospital in Ottawa, Ontario, serving Eastern Ontario and western Quebec. It is affiliated with The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa, and is funded by the provincial Government of Ontario...
telethon. It is estimated that he has participated in the collection of more than $100 million in charitable donations in the Ottawa area. This earned him a 2003 Gemini Humanitarian Award. Most recently Keeping accepted a Doctorate of the University degree from the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
and an honorary post as Patron for Learning for a Cause
Learning for a Cause
Learning for a Cause was a non-profit student press founded in 2003 by Canadian educator and writer Michael Ernest Sweet. The initiative operated from Lester B...
, a non-profit educational initiative which publishes and promotes the creative writing of high school students.
In 2003, Keeping announced on-air that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
. He has since made a full recovery.
Keeping announced on 3 December 2009 that he would retire as news anchor after 26 March 2010. On the same newscast, it was announced that his replacement would be Graham Richardson
Graham Richardson (journalist)
Graham Richardson is a Canadian television journalist who currently co-anchors CTV-Ottawa's 6 o'clock newscast on CJOH-TV along with Carol Anne Meehan.-Background:...
of CTV News
CTV News
CTV News is the news division of the CTV Television Network in Canada. The name CTV News is also applied as the title of local and regional newscasts on the network's owned-and-operated stations , which are closely tied to the national news division...
's parliamentary bureau, who appeared on the air with Keeping and fellow anchor Carol Anne Meehan
Carol Anne Meehan
Carol Anne Meehan is a news anchor at CJOH. Living in Manotick with her two children, she is a graduate of Ryerson University and began her career at CHRO. In 1989 she began co-anchoring the CJOH evening news, then known as Newsline, alongside Max Keeping.-External links:**...
to make the announcement. After retirement, Keeping started a new job as the television station's "community ambassador."
Awards and notable achievements
- Member of the Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
, 1991 - Recipient of the Ontario Medal of Good Citizenship
- Gemini AwardGemini AwardThe Gemini Awards are annual television broadcasting industry awards in Canada.First awarded in 1986, the Geminis celebrate the achievements of TV members of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Essentially, it presents awards for the best television productions in Canada. Awards are...
for Humanitarian work, 2003 - A new wing of the Children's Hospital of Eastern OntarioChildren's Hospital of Eastern OntarioThe Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario is a major children's hospital and university teaching hospital in Ottawa, Ontario, serving Eastern Ontario and western Quebec. It is affiliated with The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa, and is funded by the provincial Government of Ontario...
was named in his honour in September 2003 - Inducted into the Canadian Association of BroadcastersCanadian Association of BroadcastersThe Canadian Association of Broadcasters was the national voice of Canada's private broadcasters, representing the vast majority of Canadian programming services, including private radio and television stations, specialty, pay and pay-per-view services....
' Hall of Fame in 2004 - Hon. Mac HarbMac HarbMac Harb is a Canadian Senator and former Member of the House of Commons.-Life and career:Harb was born in Chaat, Lebanon and immigrated to Canada to study at the University of Ottawa. He subsequently worked as an engineer at Northern Telecom and a professor at Algonquin College in Ottawa...
thanked Mr. Keeping for his contributions to the city of OttawaOttawaOttawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
in the House of CommonsCanadian House of CommonsThe House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
in 2001 - Presented with the keyKey (lock)A key is an instrument that is used to operate a lock. A typical key consists of two parts: the blade, which slides into the keyway of the lock and distinguishes between different keys, and the bow, which is left protruding so that torque can be applied by the user. The blade is usually intended to...
to the city of Ottawa - Order of OntarioOrder of OntarioThe Order of Ontario is the most prestigious official honour in the Canadian province of Ontario. Instituted in 1986 by Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, on the advice of the Cabinet under Premier David Peterson, the civilian order is administered by the Governor-in-Council and is intended to...
- Honorary doctorate from the University of OttawaUniversity of OttawaThe University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
in 2007 - Honorary doctorate from the Carleton UniversityCarleton UniversityCarleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
in 2009. - Ottawa councillor Rick ChiarelliRick ChiarelliRichard "Rick" Chiarelli is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He is currently an Ottawa City Councillor, and the second cousin of former Ottawa mayor Bob Chiarelli. He represents the College Ward covering part of Nepean and Ottawa's west end.-Early years:...
announced that the city's next major arterial roadArterial roadAn arterial road, or arterial thoroughfare, is a high-capacity urban road. The primary function of an arterial road is to deliver traffic from collector roads to freeways, and between urban centres at the highest level of service possible. As such, many arteries are limited-access roads, or feature...
would be called "Max Keeping Boulevard".