Great Concordian: Debra Arbec, award-winning news anchor

Debra Arbec, BA 89, has been the familiar face leading CBC Montreal News at 6 since 2011, delivering local news with a calm authority that has earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious Canadian Screen Award for Best Local Anchor in 2024.

Growing up in Rawdon, Quebec, surrounded by health professionals, Arbec initially set her sights on a career in medicine. However, it was her teenage years spent working at her parents’ long-term care home that ignited a passion for storytelling.

“I used to sit and chat and hear the stories of these incredible lives,” Arbec once recalled.

She honed her craft at Concordia, where she earned her degree in journalism. Though her first attempt at entering the program was unsuccessful, a recommendation from then-program director Lindsay Crysler set her on a path towards refining her writing skills. Arbec successfully re-applied the following year, laying the foundation for her future in media.

After Concordia, Arbec began her career in radio at CJAD before moving on to television with CFCF, now CTV Montreal, in 1997. It was during her time at CTV Montreal, where she anchored weekend and late-night newscasts, that she gained recognition, particularly during the 1998 Ice Storm.

In 2011, Arbec joined CBC and became the host of Montreal News at 6, where her dedication to in-depth reporting — particularly on Quebec politics, human interest stories, and breaking news — made her a household name.

Her investigative reporting has since earned her accolades, including several Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) awards and a nomination for a Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) award for exposing a cover-up at the Montreal-based International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Arbec’s extensive work has also seen her cover some of Quebec’s most defining events, from the 2017 and 2019 floods to the Lac-Mégantic disaster, and the pandemic’s profound impact on Montreal.

The Great Concordian remains a strong advocate for local journalism, even as the media landscape shifts.

“Everything is changing. The way we do journalism is changing — the platforms, the focus on visuals, digital storytelling. But I’m still optimistic about our future,” she says. “Local journalism is where everything starts. It’s a scarier world without it.”

That passion for local storytelling shines not only through hard-hitting news but also through CBC’s Montreal A to V series, where Arbec explored the city’s 19 boroughs, highlighting the diversity that shapes Montreal’s unique character.

The true essence of journalism, she observes, is in sharing those stories — the voices of local communities that often go unheard.

“What I love most about my work is getting to meet fascinating people and hear their stories,” Arbec said in an earlier interview with her alma mater. “I feel incredibly lucky to be able to amplify their voices, whether they’re politicians, newsmakers, or everyday Montrealers with extraordinary experiences.”

When you reflect on your time as a Concordia student, what stands out?

Debra Arbec: The Department of Journalism at Concordia was small, and that made it feel like a close-knit community. I was the first in my family to attend university, and that came with a lot of pressure. But I always felt supported by my professors, especially [Department of Journalism co-founders] Lindsay Crysler and Enn Raudsepp. They were pivotal figures in shaping my career.

Even now, Concordia remains part of my life — I live near Loyola Campus, and I’ve kept my ties with the university over the years. It was like a family.

What are some of the factors that have enabled your success?

DA: Resilience, for sure. I wasn’t accepted into the journalism program when I first applied. Coming from a science background, my writing skills weren’t strong enough.

Lindsay Crysler advised me to take literature, creative writing and political science courses to improve. And I did. I worked incredibly hard, reapplied and got in. That experience instilled in me a strong work ethic and the determination to never take no for an answer. Journalism is a tough industry, you have to be persistent and passionate about the work. Beyond storytelling, I fell in love with writing, especially to pictures.

What advice do you have for students who may want to follow in your footsteps?

DA: It’s a tough job, but it’s also a vocation. When you catch the journalism bug, there’s nothing like it. The industry is changing, and we face challenges like misinformation and job cuts, but journalism is more important than ever.

My advice? Keep at it. Listen — really listen — to the people you’re interviewing. Dig deep. Think critically. We need young journalists to do this important work and carry the torch forward.

How does it feel to be a Great Concordian?

DA: Honestly, I’m shocked. It’s such a huge honour. There are so many accomplished Concordians, and to be recognized among them is incredibly humbling. I’ve maintained a strong relationship with the university through journalism, moderating panels and speaking with students.

Concordia played a huge role in my education and still feels like a part of my life. I even still wear my Concordia sweatshirt! I’m very proud of my alma mater and grateful for this recognition.