Standout arts reporter Pierre Landry one of the casualties of CBC budget cuts

Pierre Landry, one of the really good guys in Montreal radio,  will soon be  looking for work. CBC had its budget slashed for a change and that means tough decisions had to made.  Landry, a top notch arts reporter most recently for the Homerun  drive show, was among the casualties. His contract will not be renewed at the end of June.

 

Pierre Landry

"I was told that it was in no way a reflection of my work or personality," the perfectly bilingual Landry said. "Over 600 cuts had to be made across the country. I was the only one in the arts team in Montreal who did not have permanent status, therefore I was the only one they could cut. I am saddened by all of this. I spent nine  wonderful years at CBC Montreal covering the arts. I have made so many friends in the arts community and I am very proud to have been able to shine the spotlight on up-and-coming artists from all fields."

Landry was one of those reporters who always went the extra mile for a story. What I especially liked about his coverage is that he tried a community happening in the arts with  equal footing to that of a major festival. Homerun goes on the air at 3 p.m. When I organized a 12:30 p.m. press conference in January to promote an enhanced arts program at the English Montreal School Board,  I pitched it to Landry. He found a way to get there, do a series of interviews and have it all edited and ready to go that afternoon.

"In all honesty, I never did this job for me," he says. " I did it to make Montrealers aware of the astounding amount of world class talent that live, breathe and create in this city,
regardless of style or language.That's what I'll miss the most when my contract ends at the end of June."

What's next  for Landry? "I don't really know," he said. "I hope to find something else as exciting as soon as possible. I may go back to freelancing. My schedule will soon be wide open! "