Filipino-Canadian takes the helm at CBC’s BC Today

Longtime CBC Vancouver reporter Michelle Eliot has been named host of BC Today on CBC Radio One. Born in the Philippines, she moved to Canada with her family when she was 12 years old.

She settled in North Vancouver, British Columbia, and experienced what many newcomers to Canada may face.

It was certainly challenging in the beginning. I missed my friends and while trying to establish new friendships with my peers here, my parents found it hard to find work in the early months. But it was also exciting to start a new life in a new country and to envision our future here,” says Eliot.

While building a new life in Canada may seem daunting, she recommends new Canadians to seek out opportunities to connect with the community. “Going to the local library or community centre to find seminars or activities can help new immigrants settle into life in Canada,” she says. “Part of what makes living in Canada so wonderful is its diversity, and participating in your community helps you reach out and connect with others who make up Canadian society,” she adds.

After settling into life in Canada, Eliot went on to study English literature at the University of British Columbia and went on to study broadcast journalism at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) before joining CBC Vancouver in 2000. She has worked in various roles with the national public broadcaster and is well known for her ability to connect with audiences. Eliot credits part of her success to her experience as an immigrant.

“News is always evolving. With a 24-hour news cycle, you have to stay nimble. My experience as an immigrant has taught me to adapt to big changes quickly, and also gave me a sense of empathy and understanding for people who face life-changing decisions or circumstances,” she says.

She is excited to take the helm as host for BC Today. “It really is a dream job, it has been hard keeping the news under wraps these past few weeks,” Eliot says, adding that listeners can expect to have fun and that she hopes to bring more diverse voices and opinions to the show.

Eliot is married with two children and enjoys participating in community events like the Vancouver Sun Run and the Run Up for Down Syndrome, an issue close to her heart, as she is a parent of a child with Down Syndrome.