Gill Deacon
Gill Deacon | |
---|---|
Born | Gillian Deacon April 26, 1966 |
Occupation(s) | journalist, author, radio host |
Gillian "Gill" Deacon (born April 26, 1966, in Toronto, Ontario; name is pronounced "Jill") is a Canadian author and broadcaster,[1] best known as a former host of Here and Now on CBLA-FM in Toronto.[2] In 2016, she was also the moderator of the national Canada Reads.
Biography
Before working in radio, Gillian Deacon was a television broadcaster.[3] She hosted the CBC's flagship daytime television show called The Gill Deacon Show on CBC Television in Canada, from 2006 to 2007.[3] Her past TV hosting credits include co-hosting with Jay Ingram from 1996 to 2002 on Discovery Channel Canada's @discovery.ca,[3] as well as CBC Television's Code Green.[1]
Deacon has also worked as a television host for CBC Montreal and CTV. In Montreal, she spent four years hosting and writing for Citybeat, a national half-hour program showcasing Quebec arts and culture.[4] During that time, she was also a weekly arts correspondent for CBC News: Morning on CBC Newsworld.[5]
Deacon is well known for her interest in environmental issues. Her first book, Green for Life (Penguin, 2008), a book of common-sense alternatives and practical solutions for leaving a smaller ecological footprint, was a national bestseller.[5] From 2008 to 2009, she wrote a monthly greening column of the same name for Chatelaine.[5]
Her second book, There's Lead in Your Lipstick: Toxins in Our Everyday Bodycare and How to Avoid Them (Penguin, 2011), was also a national bestseller and an Amazon Top 100 book, and spent several weeks on The Globe and Mail bestseller list.[6] Deacon's books have led her to work actively as a public speaker, providing presentations for companies and organizations looking to broaden their awareness and commitment to sustainability.
Before establishing her career in journalism, she taught elementary school children with learning disabilities, guided bicycle tours in Europe and New Zealand, and was the lead singer for the band Bag of Hammers, with Kevin Fox. She is married to Grant Gordon, who founded Key Gordon Communications Inc., an advertising and design firm that works for only ethical and green products, causes and companies.
Deacon is a two-time survivor of breast cancer; her first occurrence was in 2009, and she had a recurrence in August 2018. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy after each occurrence. After her second remission, she returned to broadcasting on the CBC in September 2019.[7]
Beginning in December 2022, Deacon began a medical leave of absence from the CBC, and the Here and Now radio program, due to the effects of long COVID.[8] In September 2024 she announced that while her health has recovered, she has chosen to step down from full-time daily hosting, and instead will transition into other roles with the CBC, including podcasting and occasional fill-in hosting, while she writes a book.[9]
References
- ^ a b "Deacon is CBC's daytime diva". Edmonton Journal. 24 December 2006. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
- ^ "Gill Deacon named host of Here and Now". CBC News, May 31, 2013.
- ^ a b c "CBC's daytime Deacon a multitasking mom". Winnipeg Free Press, November 27, 2006.
- ^ Mike Boone, "Radio-Quebec gets new name, pared-down mission". Montreal Gazette, August 20, 1996.
- ^ a b c Rita Zekas, "Where a green mom shops; Gill Deacon lives and buys by her philosophy of fighting 'depletism'". Toronto Star, June 28, 2008.
- ^ Monique Beaudin, "Taking care of your body; Gill Deacon has published a great guide for those who want to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals commonly found in shampoo, lotions, makeup and toothpaste". Montreal Gazette, January 3, 2011.
- ^ "'Gill Deacon: How a strong wind led to a 2nd recovery from cancer'". CBC News. 4 September 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ "'What I want are recovery narratives': CBC Radio host Gill Deacon on life with long COVID". CBC News. 2 December 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ "CBC Radio host Gill Deacon on leaving Here and Now". CBC Toronto, September 4, 2024.