Several rumors were circulating about who will occupy the homecoming slot at 98.5 next fall. It is now confirmed! Philippe Cantin will succeed Patrick Lagacé while the latter will take charge of the morning show.
The one who was in turn a journalist, deputy editor and columnist at The Press does not hide his enthusiasm in the face of this important challenge. “I won’t hide from you that I wanted that very much. I was moved when it was offered to me. »
Around Philippe Cantin will be Pierre-Yves McSween, who will occupy a very important place in the show, and Catherine Beauchamp, who will continue to cover arts and entertainment. Added to these is Nathalie Normandeau who, after presenting the show from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. with Luc Ferrandez, will present a political column. MC Gilles will also be present. Other collaborators will be announced soon.
Unsurprisingly, Philippe Cantin will firmly place current events at the heart of this show which will continue to be called Quebec now. Having worked with him for years The Press, I can tell you that information in all its forms is a true passion in his life. But above all, he loves the moments of frenzy that it very often provides.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
After a career of more than 30 years at The Press, Philippe Cantin is, in a way, returning to his roots. Indeed, he began his career in the mid-1980s (after studying law) at CJRP radio, in Quebec, his hometown.
“I love it when everything is set at five to three and something big happens. Then everything has to be changed. It galvanizes me! I humbly think that my strength is information, and I consider that everything can become information. There are no bad subjects. It all depends on the treatment. »
98.5 listeners discovered Philippe Cantin thanks to the columns he presented in various shows from 2019. It was then to him that we turned to host Quebec now, Drainville PM Or Without reservation during the summer or during special holidays. “It allowed me to accumulate what Patrick Lagacé calls flight hours,” he says.
Hosting these shows made him experience a sort of intoxicating “electroshock”. “When you’re leading the show and the little red light comes on just before you go on air, there’s an extraordinary dose of adrenaline. You know it’s on you. It’s an absolutely unique thrill. »
After a career of more than 30 years at The Press, Philippe Cantin is, in a way, returning to his roots. Indeed, he began his career in the mid-1980s (after studying law) at CJRP radio, in Quebec, his hometown.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Philippe Cantin will enter the arena of Quebec now next August 12.
“It was after the departure of André Arthur who returned to CHRC by purchasing the station. He left the post with his entire team. I hosted an open sports line at 10 p.m. I had no calls and no advertising. That’s where I learned how to tell stories on the radio. »
In 1984, he became a correspondent in Montreal for The sun before being recruited by CKAC, then TVA to direct the sports section. On his first day, he received a call from the sports director of The Press who makes him a tempting offer. Heartbroken, he is forced to refuse her. Two weeks later, we made him the same proposition. “I was told that it was very rare that we called a second time, but that we never called back a third time. I took the leap. »
He enters The Press in 1988 first as a sports journalist, then a parliamentary correspondent and columnist for urban life. In the early 2000s, he was part of the daily’s management team. In 2011, he returned as a sports columnist, one of his fields of interest along with politics.
Speaking of politics, Philippe Cantin slips into this new show as our neighbors to the South plunge into elections that will attract the attention of the whole world. “There are people who say that what happens in the United States is none of our business. This is not true. It is our first commercial partner. And then, there is the whole aspect of social discourse which offers less room for nuance. It’s worrying and that’s why we need to be interested in it. »
Unlike many observers who constantly recall the dark days of journalism, Philippe Cantin rather believes that his profession is currently experiencing a “golden age”. “When I started, we were proud when we released one major investigative subject per month. Today, it’s three or four per week. When I look at the quality of what is produced, I tell myself that it is an incredible wealth. It moves things forward. »
Philippe Cantin will enter the arena of Quebec now on August 12 at the very moment when the “little red light” turns on. Until then, he will take the time to prepare his show well. “It will be the day after the closing ceremonies of the Paris Olympic Games. I told my team that the topic for our first round of discussion is at least found,” he says with a laugh.