Broadcaster Roy Green to End Show Amid Cancer Battle

Broadcaster Roy Green to End Show Amid Cancer Battle
Roy Green at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, Ont., on March 26, 2024. NTD
Andrew Chen
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Listeners of Roy Green’s iconic radio show say they'll sorely miss his insightful commentary, following the broadcaster’s decision to retire amid his battle with cancer.

Green’s final show will air on Jan. 26, he announced on Dec. 29 during his program and on social media. His show airs on AM 640 Toronto and is syndicated across Corus Entertainment’s network nationwide.
Green, 77, previously revealed on social media that he was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer and said he was undergoing “lengthy tests” shortly before announcing the end of his show.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre expressed feeling “saddened” by the news of Green’s health issue, saying in a Dec. 29 post on social media platform X, “Your decades of work on the Canadian radio airwaves, bringing us the news that matters, have left an indelible mark on all your listeners.”
Former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole, who appeared several times on Green’s show, shared a similar sentiment on X, saying that the broadcaster has made a profound impact.
Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, a former guest on Green’s show, called it a pleasure to appear on his program and wished him a swift recovery.
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, a Dalhousie University professor and agri-food policy commentator, said the end of Green’s show marks “the end of a remarkable era in Canadian broadcasting.” Charlebois highlighted Green’s ability to connect with audiences nationwide, amplify their concerns, and demand accountability from public institutions and elected officials.
“Your dedication to transparency and fairness has made Canada a better place for all,” Charlebois said in a Dec. 29 post on X.

While expressing gratitude on social media on Dec. 29 for the support he’s received, Green also shared his support for others facing serious health challenges.

“The program ends January 26, but your generosity of spirit will fuel my fight against what lies ahead,” he said. “My thoughts are with everyone engaged in a life-threatening health challenge.”

He has spoken extensively about cancer since the loss of his wife, Lyana, to the disease in 2015. Green has advocated for the inclusion of Pluvicto in provincial drug plans for prostate cancer patients.

Green, born in Switzerland and raised in Montreal, began his career in January 1973 at CHML, a commercial radio station in Hamilton, Ont. He later worked at Toronto’s AM 640 and hosted a regional Ontario program. Green retired from daily broadcasting in March 2007, but continued hosting The Roy Green Show on Corus Radio on weekends.

The broadcaster has been recognized throughout his career, including being a three-time consecutive winner of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters “Gold Ribbon” award.