Lowell Green

Last updated

Lowell Green
Lowell Green.jpg
Born (1936-07-07) 7 July 1936 (age 88)
SpouseDeborah Green
Awards
Career
ShowThe Lowell Green Show
Station CFRA Ottawa
Time slotWeekdays 10 am to 12pm
Style Talk radio
CountryCanada
Previous showGreenline
Website lgreen.ca (archived)

Lowell Green (born 7 July 1936) is a Canadian radio personality, journalist, and author, best known as the host of The Lowell Green Show, a conservative morning talk show that aired on the Ottawa Ontario radio station CFRA. He has written newspaper articles and autobiographical, historical and fictional books.

Contents

He was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, to Canadian parents, and immigrated to Canada. He graduated from Macdonald Agricultural College of McGill University in Montreal Quebec in 1956.

Career

Green started his radio broadcasting career in Brantford, Ontario, and subsequently moved to radio stations in Sudbury Ontario and Montreal Quebec. In 1960, he was hired by G. Campbell McDonald [1] at CFRA as a news and farm reporter. In 1966, he began hosting Greenline, and eventually became the longest-running open-line talk show host in North America. He retired briefly from radio in the 1980s, but returned in 1990. Two of his historic broadcasts are being preserved at Library and Archives Canada. [2]

In 1993, he returned to CFRA and hosted The Lowell Green Show until his official retirement on 4 January 2016. He continued contributing to the station's weekly midday program News and Views with Rob Snow until a Bell Media restructuring in mid-November 2019. [3] On occasion, he can be heard calling into The Rob Snow Show, now airing on CIWW. [4]

On 31 December 2019, in an emotional farewell, Green ended his radio career on CFRA with the following final words:

I believe, that we all have a responsibility, more than that, we have a duty, to do whatever we can, in whatever fashion we can, to make a better world for our children.
And CFRA Nation, you have done your duty, and I hope and pray that you'll continue to do so. Thank you all, goodbye
.” [5]

On 14 September 2020, Green returned online with The Island of Sanity, a one-hour podcast available on various internet platforms, which was pared down to thirty minutes on 13 October 2020 and featured live on internet radio and the social networking platform Facebook. [6]

Accomplishments

In a late 1960s protest, Green urged his listeners to fill bottles of water taken from the polluted Rideau River, and to ship them to the Ontario legislature at Queen's Park. His listeners shipped many bottles and containers of polluted water. Canada Post objected, and stopped accepting them. According to Green, the uproar led to the creation of the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and the start of a clean-up effort of the Rideau River and the Ottawa River. [5]

With his 1967 Save The Centennial Flame Campaign, a month of relentless broadcasts, and over three-thousand petitions from listeners, the iconic Centennial Flame remains and continues to shine on Parliament Hill. [7]

In 1975, after the school shooting that occurred at the St. Pius X High School in Ottawa, Green and thousands of his supporters joined his Fire Arms Safety Association. It lobbied and petitioned Members of Parliament, while he appeared before parliamentary and senate committees tasked with the process of making policy and enacting new gun law legislation in Canada. [5] In order to encourage Quebecers to vote "No" in the 1995 Quebec Independence referendum, he promoted and helped organize a political Unity Rally which was held in Place du Canada in Montreal Quebec. [8]

With the Reverend Norman Johnston, he founded the Ottawa chapter of the Big Brothers and was founder of the Help Santa Toy Parade in Ottawa. He has contributed to ongoing efforts to help modernize and renovate the Saint Vincent Hospital and the Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital in Ottawa. He was a founder of the Sunday Herald in Ottawa which was in 1988 purchased by the Ottawa Sun. [9] [5]

Green has served on the boards of the United Way, the John Howard Society , the Drug Addiction Research Council, and on the town council in West Hull Quebec. [8] [10]

Honours and awards

Lowell Green has received several awards, including one for his 1958 coverage of the Springhill mining disaster in Nova Scotia, and one from the International Olympic Commission for broadcasts made from the 1976 Summer Olympic Games while working in Montreal. [11] He has received the Friendship Award from the Royal Canadian Legion, [7] the Chief of Defence staff medallion, [7] and the Senate 150th Anniversary Medal. He has been decorated with both the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal , [12] and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal . [13]

After raising CA$280 thousand during an on-air campaign for a little boy requiring life-saving medical treatment in the United States, he was presented with the Helen Keller Fellowship Award from Lions International. [8] In 2006, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Radio and Television News Director Association. [14] He has also been awarded the Golden Ribbon Award For Outstanding Community Service by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. [15]

He has received citations from Prime Minister John Diefendbaker, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, [16] Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper. [7] [17] [18] On 21 November 2017, he was honoured in the House of Commons of Canada by the Honourable Pierre Poilievre. [10] Lowell Green has also received the Community Builders Award displayed at Ottawa City Hall, and has an Ottawa hospital wing and an Ottawa day named in his honour. [8] [10]

Politics

In 1968, Green attempted to win the Liberal nomination for the federal riding of Pontiac during the 1968 federal election, but lost this bid to Thomas Lefebvre. [19] On 13 December 1984, Green ran for the Ontario Liberal Party in a provincial by-election in Ottawa Centre. The by-election was called after NDP Michael Cassidy resigned his seat. He came third, losing to NDP candidate Evelyn Gigantes. Green blamed this loss on his "sharp" personality and a low voter turnout. [20] On 24 October 2020, Green publicly endorsed Matthew Fisher, a former journalist who was a foreign correspondent for The Globe and Mail, Sun Media and Postmedia Network for 34 years, to become the Conservative MP for Kanata—Carleton. [21]

Books

The following is a list of works authored by Lowell Green. His latest book “Amazing But True! 150 Fascinating Stories About Canada”, was in 2017 nominated for the Governor General's Pierre Burton Award, [22] presented annually by Canada's National History Society for works celebrating Canadian history. He has also received the Canada Book Award which recognizes and promotes Canadian authors. [23]

Controversy

Green has been controversial at times. Several complaints have been made against him to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC). In a 1994 complaint to the CBSC, listeners alleged that Green had been rude and abusive to a caller who identified herself as a Christian. Although the CBSC determined that Green's conduct had contravened its guidelines on discrimination, it also decided that the station had responded appropriately, and the group did not prescribe any further action. In 2006 and 2008, the council censured Green for his treatment of a Muslim man who challenged Green on the way the radio show host portrays Islam. [24] [25] In June 2017, there was controversy as to whether Indigo Books and Music had pulled Green's latest book, Amazing But True!, from its bookshelves in stores in Canada. [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gatineau</span> City in Quebec, Canada

Gatineau is a city in southwestern Quebec, Canada. It is located on the northern bank of the Ottawa River, immediately across from Ottawa, Ontario. Gatineau is the largest city in the Outaouais administrative region of Quebec and is also part of Canada's National Capital Region. As of 2021, Gatineau is the fourth-largest city in Quebec with a population of 291,041, and it is part of the Ottawa-Gatineau census metropolitan area with a population of 1,488,307 making it the fourth largest in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franco-Ontarians</span> Francophone resident of the Canadian province of Ontario

Franco-Ontarians are Francophone Canadians that reside in the province of Ontario. Most are French Canadians from Ontario. In 2021, according to the Government of Ontario, there were 650,000 Francophones in the province. The majority of Franco-Ontarians in the province reside in Eastern Ontario, Northeastern Ontario, and Central Ontario, although small francophone communities may be found in other regions of the province.

CFRA is a news/talk formatted radio station in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, owned by Bell Media. The station broadcasts on the assigned frequency of 580 kHz. CFRA's studios are located in the Bell Media Building on George Street in Downtown Ottawa's ByWard Market, while its 4-tower transmitter array is located near Manotick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Counsell (pastor)</span> Canadian broadcaster and pastor

John Counsell is a Canadian broadcaster and pastor.

King's Highway 417, commonly referred to as Highway 417 and as the Queensway through Ottawa, is a 400-series highway in the Canadian province of Ontario. It connects Ottawa with Montreal via A-40, and is the backbone of the highway system in the National Capital Region. Within Ottawa, it forms part of the Queensway west from Highway 7 to Ottawa Road 174. Highway 417 extends from the Quebec border, near Hawkesbury, to Arnprior, where it continues westward as Highway 17. Aside from the urban section through Ottawa, Highway 417 passes through farmland that dominates much of the fertile Ottawa Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Harris (journalist)</span> Canadian writer and radio personality

Michael Terry Harris is a Canadian investigative journalist, radio personality, documentary filmmaker, novelist, iPolitics columnist and the author of nine books.

Mark Elliot was the professional name of Nils Fleming Johanson, a former late night talk radio host on radio station CFRB 1010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and an addictions counsellor in private practice. Earlier in his career, he was a popular disk jockey at Top 40 stations in various Canadian cities including Toronto, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Windsor, Ontario.

Bill Carroll is a Canadian radio personality who has hosted talk radio shows in both Canada and the United States. He has been the host of The Morning Rush with Bill Carroll on CFRA in Ottawa since March 7, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Duffy</span> Canadian former senator and journalist (born 1946)

Michael Dennis Duffy is a former Canadian senator and former Canadian television journalist. Prior to his appointment to the upper house in 2008, he was the Ottawa editor for CTV News Channel. Upon turning 75 on May 27, 2021, Duffy retired from the senate due to mandatory retirement rules.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ottawa Auditorium</span> Arena for sports and entertainment

The Ottawa Auditorium was a 7,500-seat arena located in Ottawa, Ontario. It was located in Downtown Ottawa at the corner of O'Connor and Argyle Streets, today the site of the Taggart Family YMCA. Built primarily for ice hockey, the arena was also used for sports events, assemblies and musical concerts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leslie Roberts</span> Canadian broadcaster

Leslie Roberts is a Canadian television and radio personality, who recently left Ottawa as the host of CTV Morning Live and his talkshow 9-noon on CFRA in Ottawa. He was previously the host of The Leslie Roberts Show on CJAD in Montreal. From 2001-2015 he was anchor and senior editor at Global Toronto.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Ottawa municipal election</span> Election in Canada

The 2010 Ottawa municipal election was a municipal election that was held on October 25, 2010, to elect the mayor of Ottawa, Ottawa City Council and the Ottawa-Carleton Public and Catholic School Boards. The election was held on the same date as elections in every other municipality in Ontario.

This is a timeline of notable events in the history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Canada. For a broad overview of LGBT history in Canada see LGBT history in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ligue1 Québec</span> Football league

Ligue1 Québec (L1QC) is a semi-professional men's and women's soccer league in Quebec, Canada. Founded in 2011 as the Première ligue de soccer du Québec, the league is sanctioned by the Canadian Soccer Association and the Quebec Soccer Federation.

Brian Lilley is a Canadian columnist, author, television show host, and was the senior correspondent for the now defunct Sun News Network in Ottawa, covering Parliament Hill. He has worked in radio, television and print across Canada. A former radio show host on 580 CFRA in Ottawa, he currently serves as provincial and national political columnist for the Toronto Sun.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carp Hills</span> Landform in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

The Carp Hills are a small range of rocky hills between the shallow valleys of the Carp River and Constance Creek, entirely within the West Carleton-March Ward of Canada's capital, Ottawa, Ontario. It runs roughly from Kinburn Side Road southeast to the village of Carp and the South March Highlands at March Road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urban rail transit in Canada</span> List of Canadian passenger rail systems confined to urban areas

Urban rail transit in Canada encompasses a broad range of rail mass transit systems, including commuter rail, rapid transit, light rail, and streetcar systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ernie Calcutt</span> Canadian sports commentator and radio news director

Ernest George Calcutt was a Canadian sports commentator and radio news director. He worked for CFRA 580-AM in Ottawa, and was the voice for the Ottawa Rough Riders radio broadcasts from 1964 to 1983. He served as a president of the Canadian Football Reporters, and was inducted into both the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and the Ottawa Sport Hall of Fame.

References

  1. Snow, Rob (10 October 2019). "A part of CFRA's history. The man who hired Lowell Green. Campbell McDonald signs off". @RobSnow15. Archived from the original on 22 April 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  2. Green, Lowell (November 2012). Death in October. eBookIt.com. ISBN   978-1-4566-1102-6. Archived from the original on 22 April 2020.
  3. "Host Rob Snow let go from CFRA". Ottawa Citizen. Archived from the original on 8 December 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  4. "Rob Snow to host new show on 1310 NEWS in 2020". Ottawa Citizen. Archived from the original on 7 December 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 podcasters, Omny Studio is the complete audio management solution for; Stations, Radio. "LISTEN NOW: Lowell Green signs off for the last time – 580 CFRA – Omny.fm". omny.fm. Archived from the original on 22 April 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  6. "Lowell Green". BTR. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Lowell Green". Hansard. Legislative Assembly of Ontario. 20 April 2006. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Lowell Green:Talk | Lowell Green responds on 16 October 2017
  9. Sherring, Susan (29 November 2015). "Sunday Herald's founder Marc Charlebois 'moxie' remembered". Ottawa Sun. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  10. 1 2 3 Hon. Pierre Poilievre (21 November 2017). "Honouring the legendary Lowell Green". Archived from the original on 12 September 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2019 via YouTube.
  11. "Lowell Green profile". CFRA. CFRA Radio. 27 March 2007. Archived from the original on 28 March 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2007.
  12. General, Office of the Secretary to the Governor. "Mr. Lowell Green". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  13. General, Office of the Secretary to the Governor. "Lowell Green". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  14. "Lifetime Achievement Award Winners – RTDNA Canada". Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 June 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  15. "CAB 2006 Gold Ribbon Award Winners". Broadcaster Magazine. 8 November 2006.
  16. "Biography – Lowell Green Books". Archived from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  17. Green, Lowell (21 February 2013). Here's Proof Only We Conservatives Have Our Heads Screwed on Straight!!!. eBookIt.com. ISBN   978-1-4566-0607-7. Archived from the original on 22 April 2020.
  18. "Conservatism is common sense says Lowell Green in new book". Toronto.com. 15 December 2011. Archived from the original on 22 April 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  19. The Canadian Press (22 May 1968). "Losers Say Nomination Undemocratic". Montreal Gazette . Montreal. p. 47. Archived from the original on 22 April 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  20. Ward, Bruce; Hanna, Susan (14 December 1984). "Battered Grits lose seat to PCs". Ottawa Citizen . pp. A1, A12. Archived from the original on 22 April 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  21. "I am supporting Matthew Fisher in his efforts to win the Conservative nomination in Kanata Carleton!". 24 October 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020 via Facebook.
  22. Thomson, Hilary (30 August 2017). "Lowell Green's book celebrates Canada's history". The North Grenville Times. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  23. Awards, Canada Book (5 January 2019). "Canada Book Awards". Canada Book Awards. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  24. "CBSC Decision | CFRA-AM re an episode of the Lowell Green Show (Islam)". Archived from the original on 21 November 2010. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  25. "CBSC Decision | CFRA-AM re an episode of the Lowell Green Show (The Qur'an)". Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  26. Johnston, Geoffrey (1 June 2017). "Author battles 'censorship'". The Kingston Whig-Standard. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2017.