Her journey was far from easy, marked by numerous obstacles. Readers might be surprised by the number of professions Lucy van Oldenbarneveld tried before she found her true calling.
Ottawa Ski tells the story of one of Ottawa’s most beloved TV hosts, sharing her advice and secrets to success.
Lucy’s Family
Lucy’s parents were Dutch immigrants to Canada, and she spoke fluent Dutch as well as German. These language skills would later prove useful in her career.
After her parents’ divorce, her mother was left to raise three children alone: two daughters, Lucy and Tracy, and a son, Michael. Money was always tight during her childhood, which motivated Lucy to seek early employment.
How It All Began
Despite her natural charisma and communication skills, Lucy didn’t enter the world of television until 1998, in the Yukon. She spent eight years in the city, trying her hand at various professions before finding her true passion.
In 1989, Lucy graduated from Queen’s University with a degree in Political Studies. However, as many know, a degree does not guarantee immediate success. Lucy struggled to choose a career path, and her frustration grew, especially when she ended up working as a bartender in Kingston. She later admitted that she took the job simply because it was available, unsure of what she truly wanted to do.
In 1988, Lucy, always a lover of adventure, traveled through Ecuador and later ventured north to Canada’s Yukon. This thrilling journey was filled with travel and new experiences. In 2000, she packed up her sleeping bag, rug, and other essentials and moved to Whitehorse, where she took another bartending job—a surprisingly profitable occupation.
She later worked for the Women’s Directorate in the territorial government, assisting in organizing federal, provincial, and territorial conferences. Soon after, she was drawn to the Yukon Council, where she focused on economic and environmental issues. Lucy helped draft reports, write speeches, and even engage in political work.
Although she found these roles interesting, she never fully committed to a long-term career in politics.
Acting and Theatre
Lucy’s talents extended beyond journalism—she also had a flair for the theatre. She performed with the “Yukon” troupe in theatrical events such as the “Rendezvous Comedy Review.” She appeared in children’s plays and stage productions before landing a small speaking role in the 1996 film “Murder on the Iditarod Trail,” a thriller about a mysterious murder in a dog sled race.
Her filmography includes:
- Arrival (2016) – CNAC Anchor
- Long Shot (2019) – BCNMS News Anchor
Aiming for an Acting Career: Why Not?
Lucy spent a year in Beijing teaching English before returning to Whitehorse. She later pursued her dream of acting, performing with a friend at “Fringe” festivals in Edmonton, Vancouver, Victoria, and San Francisco in 1998.
It was during this time that a chance meeting with a CBC director changed the course of her life.
First Steps in Television
The CBC director invited Lucy to temporarily replace a radio host for three weeks. While working, she realized that broadcasting was her true passion. She later secured a job as a host and producer for The Late Edition.
In 2000, she convinced CBC executives to send her to Yellowknife so she could work as a TV anchor. In 2002, she took a year-long leave from CBC after signing a contract as an English-language host, producer, and reporter at Deutsche Welle World Service Radio in Cologne, Germany.
Lucy’s High-Profile Reports
In 2002, Lucy covered several major European stories:
- Al-Qaeda cells in Hamburg
- The seizure of the Iraqi embassy in Berlin by an Irish militant group calling for Saddam Hussein’s removal
- The assassination of Dutch right-wing politician Pim Fortuyn, which occurred just before the Netherlands’ general elections
Television Career
Between 2003 and 2006, Lucy van Oldenbarneveld became widely known as a field reporter. Every Friday, she hosted the popular Ottawa Morning on CBC Radio. Her warmth, empathy, and humor made her a favorite among listeners.
In both 2003 and 2006, she accepted invitations to teach broadcasting skills in Africa through the AFRINET program. Her career continued to expand, and in early 2003, she relocated to Ottawa.
Lucy became a familiar face to Ottawa residents through CBC News programs. She was the main anchor of the daily evening news and, starting in 2009, co-anchored additional news segments.
Battle with Cancer
In 2016, Lucy returned to CBC after a 16-month hiatus due to breast cancer treatment. She made a bold decision to forgo wearing a wig, gradually easing back into her work.
Her return to Ottawa’s media scene signaled a fresh start. She admitted that during her treatment, she felt like she was in a “protective cocoon.” After her recovery, she shared her story at a fundraising event for the new Breast Health Centre.
Lucy and her sister Tracy had a five-year age gap. They both battled breast cancer, with Tracy being diagnosed after Lucy had completed her treatment. Genetic tests found no link to hereditary breast cancer, and doctors simply attributed it to misfortune. In 2018, Lucy’s beloved sister passed away. Lucy vowed to take care of Tracy’s children.
Advice from a Renowned TV Host
Her battle with cancer transformed her outlook on life. While she resumed her routine, she offered valuable advice to others:
- Live bravely and remain compassionate.
- Make an effort to positively impact others.
- Don’t waste time.
- Appreciate every single day.
A New Chapter for Lucy
Starting something new is never easy. In 2021, Lucy announced that after 18 years as a TV host at CBC, she was stepping away from the network. However, she emphasized that this was not retirement but rather the pursuit of new adventures.
She had made the decision earlier, but the pandemic delayed her departure. She chose to stay because people needed reliable news, and viewers depended on their television hosts.
For the people of Ottawa, Lucy van Oldenbarneveld will always be one of the most beloved TV hosts—a woman they admired, enjoyed watching, and respected. Her farewell was not a goodbye but the beginning of an exciting new chapter. And without a doubt, Ottawans will hear from her again.
