Journalism grad goes nationwide

Thomas Daigle is now CBC Montreal’s national reporter

June 9, 2015

By Antoni Nerestant

Source: Advancement and Alumni Relations

Seven years ago, Thomas Daigle, BA (jour.) 10, could not have seen this coming.

After he began an internship at CBC New Brunswick while enrolled in the information-communication program from the University of Moncton, Daigle still saw himself more as a broadcaster and host than a journalist.

Thomas Daigle, CBC Montreal’s national reporter, on the streets of London during a TV shoot. | Photo courtesy: Thomas Daigle

Yet Daigle, who also completed a BA from Concordia’s Department of Journalism, recently became CBC Montreal’s national reporter.

In his new role, Daigle works with the CBC’s national assignment editor to zero in on stories in Montreal that have national appeal, and does live hits throughout the day for the CBC News Network.

As he soaks in his latest accomplishment, Daigle considers his time at CBC New Brunswick — his first stint as a daily reporter — a major turning point.

“That’s when I saw that I could work in broadcasting while feeling like I was actually serving the public,” says the native of Quispamsis, New Brunswick.

"Through journalism, I could contribute to people learning things and I found that to be very gratifying.”

Daigle enjoys giving Montrealers a voice.

Daigle says he enjoys giving Montrealers a voice. | Photo courtesy: Thomas Daigle

Daigle’s career path includes working as a reporter at the Quebec National Assembly, a video journalist and a news anchor for CBC News Montreal Weekends.

One of Daigle’s most memorable assignments was at the Lac-Mégantic disaster in 2013, yet he shies away from speaking of the impact the tragedy had on him as a reporter.

“Of course, it’s had an effect on me,” he says. “But it’s so minimal compared to the loss and the extreme grief that people there have gone through over the past two years.”

Daigle embraces his recent move to national reporter as the latest challenge in his career. “It feels great,” he says. “I had worked as a national reporter on an interim basis for some time, and after I applied in December I was lucky enough to get it.”

While Daigle calls it fortune, his track record reveals a diligent work ethic. While still in high school, he hosted a weekly show at a community radio station in Saint John. In his second year at Concordia, Daigle was a teaching assistant in the Department of Journalism, a reporter at radio station CJAD and a freelance reporter for Global Television.

“I felt that I had to do it,” Daigle says of his balancing act. “I knew I needed to get as much experience as I could in journalism to get a job after university.”

Journalism grad goes nationwide

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