Dave Rutherford is an award winning Canadian broadcaster and radio personality.
Even though his father, Walt Rutherford, had established himself in news and talk
radio on CJOC Lethbridge and then CJCA Edmonton, it would take a few years
before Dave decided that radio news was where he wanted to be.
His first job behind the microphone was at CKYL Peace River Alberta in 1971. A
year later, in 1972, he moved to the newsroom of CKIQ Kelowna. His move to
CKNW Vancouver came 2 years later in 1974. He hit the Vancouver newsroom of
CKNW News talk 980 as a desk/anchor newsman and worked up to Assistant
News Director under the leadership of his mentor, Warren Barker. During
Rutherford’s time at CKNW, he was instrumental in the creation of the Western
Information Network (WIN), which connected British Columbia radio stations with
CKNW and its own legislature bureau.
Rutherford left CKNW in 1983 to head up the newsroom of CHQR AM770 Calgary.
During his time at QR77 he filled a variety of management positions; Program
Director, News Director and Talk Show Host. He also served as a director of RTNDA
(Radio Television News Direction Association) Canada.
In 1992 CHQR AM770 Calgary launched its News Talk format and Rutherford
worked double duty as News Director and Talk Show Host of The Rutherford Show.
A year later, after his radio show was networked across Alberta, he decided to focus
completely on his role as talk show host and the development of The Rutherford
Show. With his strong news background and outspoken opinion Dave hit the hot
buttons with listeners.
From February 21, 1995 to August 25, 2000, his radio show was also simulcast on
television cable stations across Canada through CICT Television, Calgary 7. At
various times, The Rutherford Show also networked on The Corus Radio Network
to listeners in BC, Manitoba and Ontario with the base of the show in Alberta. His
top rated show aired daily across Alberta on 630 CHED Edmonton and 770 CHQR
Calgary.
Dave travelled extensively to cover news stories and bring them live to his
listeners. In 1994 he travelled to Bosnia, reporting live on the Bosnia civil war.
He was also in Rwanda in 1994 to report on the genocide that was taking place.
In 1999 he was in Kosovo to report back on the Kosovo War. Two months after
the attacks of 9/11, he was in Iran and Afghanistan. His travels into Afghanistan
refugee camps brought him into the mud hut of a regional Taliban leader where
he was one of the few North American journalists to be given an interview inside
Afghanistan.
He was on the ground to cover the relief operations of 1998 Hurricane Mitch in
Nicaragua and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. At home in Canada he was on location
for live broadcasts of federal elections, political leadership races, the “Winnipeg
Flood of the Century” 1997, the “Montreal Unity Rally” 1995 and more.
On April 22, 2013 Dave announced that the time was right for him to retire The
Rutherford Show after its successful 20 year run. The last broadcast of The
Rutherford Show would be on July 26, 2013.
As well as being a radio broadcaster, Dave has also written a weekly column for Sun
Media and been a regular contributor to various news magazines. He has provided
commentary for CTV, CBC, Sun Media and BBC. In September 2006, Dave was a
guest host of the parliamentary news show, Mike Duffy Live.
He is well known for his opinionated commentary and was ranked #19 in Macleans
Magazine’s Special Politics Issue, “The Power List, The 25 People Who Really Run the
Country”.
He appeared in Ottawa before a Senate Committee Hearing in 2011 to present his
opinion on the long form census.
Dave Rutherford is a founding director and Chairman of “The Calgary Children’s
Foundation.” He also founded the “Corus Radio/Dave Rutherford Journalism
Scholarship” for ethics in journalism at Mount Royal University, Calgary Alberta.
AWARDS
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – 2012 “for your contribution to radio journalism, your
many years as a radio talk show host, and your keen interest in human and public
affairs”
Alberta Centennial Medal - 2005 Government of Alberta “in recognition of your
outstanding service to the people and province of Alberta”
Calgary White Hat Awards – 2006 “to honor an individual in the media who reflects
the spirit of the award with a commitment to community service.”
award) Radio
Personality
Tax Fighter of the Year - 1999 Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “Presented to an
individual who has shown long-standing commitment and dedication to the cause
of taxpayer emancipation. The first time awarded to a media personality
Member of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Century Club