Tonight, face-to-face with Conrad Black, Frank Revelations in a CTV News exclusive.
The former media mogul grants a rare TV interview.
It is a misfortune to me that a great many people think that I'm guilty of something,
but I did make some mistakes.
With a hint of remorse as he heads back to jail.
Harsh lessons from a night of chaos.
Alcohol played a big part in this.
Police unchecked, police overwhelmed.
Did poor planning invite the Stanley Cup riot?
They were actually in a completely different place and very much disadvantaged.
And signing off with gratitude.
It's time to say goodbye.
CTV National News with Lloyd Robertson.
Good evening, one last time for CTV National News.
And we begin with a story you'll only see here.
It's a revealing conversation with Conrad Black as the former media baron prepares to
return to a U.S. federal prison.
And it is Black's first sit-down television interview since his legal nightmare began.
With his characteristic bombast, Black is surprisingly open about his life behind bars.
Our Lisa LaFlam joins me now, and Lisa has some exclusive details about what happens
to him next.
Lloyd, I sat with Conrad Black for a three-hour interview in New York, and to call it compelling
really is an understatement.
We covered a lot of territory.
But the latest development in this ongoing saga, Conrad Black is not going back to Florida's
Coleman Federal State Prison.
It seems two female prison guards who testified against him are now afraid for their safety.
They had a security fear.
If I went back there, if I was going to assault these two women who were not pinup girls,
believe me.
I mean, to go back there for seven months, I, for the first time in my life at the age
of 67, I'm going to commit assault on these two.
So what's your reaction to that?
I mean, at the very least, you became comfortable in that environment to do it all over again.
My reaction is that no inanity, stupidity, or malicious inconvenience inflicted by the
Bureau of Prison surprised me.
To the average Joe, you've been in prison, and you're going back to prison.
So you've been convicted of something.
I am not responsible for what the average Joe thinks of it.
And I don't say that disparagingly of the average Joe.
Why should he know any more about it than he does?
And it is a misfortune to me that a great many people think that I'm guilty of something.
But I did make some mistakes, and I think even my most vocal critics will acknowledge
I paid for them.
For 29 months inside Coleman Federal Prison, Black tutored fellow inmates, but those cellmates
taught him something also.
Most of the time I had a very nice Honduran.
He didn't speak English very well.
Very nice person, though.
And the last person on the lower bunk was, again, a very pleasant guy from North Carolina.
What was he in for?
You never ask.
Really?
Aren't you curious?
If they want to mention it, they'll mention it.
Some people did, but if they don't, then you don't ask.
I did ask about the toll this ordeal had taken on his wife, Barbara Amiel, for the first
time he admitted guilt.
Do you feel guilty about the impact these years have had on her?
I don't normally confess to a television camera with a large number of viewers.
So I will make an exception on this one occasion for this.
I would not normally consider CTV to be an appropriate place for confession, but the
answer is yes, and I have made my confession to her on that point many times.
We can't tell you which prison Conrad Black is going to, but I can say that it is closer
to Toronto, which will be less taxing on his wife, Barbara, who visited him in that Florida
prison sometimes twice a week.
So Lloyd, we will have a lot more revealing information on Monday night about Lord Black's
next move.
So did we see Conrad Black with a hint of remorse this time, a little contrition, Lisa?
Well, we certainly heard him admit to some mistakes, which is rare.
You just heard that.
And when it comes to those convictions, he is fiery, he is adamant, he committed no crimes.
He calls this torture what he's lived through.
He actually wrote a book in prison.
It's called A Matter of Principle, and it comes out this month in September.
It really is his side of the story, and as I say, truly a compelling story.
He admits that he could have played his cards more diplomatically and says he will when
he returns.
So we'll talk more about that on Monday.
All of that sounds fascinating.
Well, we'll see you soon, Lisa.
Lloyd, I just want to say I have to say I will miss these talkbacks with you, and I
will miss you.
Thank you.
Good night.
The long-awaited report on the Vancouver riots is out, and it confirms what everyone who
saw the shocking footage already knows.
Police were totally overwhelmed and woefully unprepared.
The report outlines a litany of problems leading up to the violent rampage and makes recommendations
to prevent it from happening again.
CTV's Lisa Rossington has the details.
This is what happens when too many drunk people are allowed to run free with no consequences.
That's the gist of a government-commissioned report that's taken two months to produce.
The riot was caused by thugs and villains and people who cheered them on.
The authors say what fueled the Stanley Cup ride in Vancouver June 15th was too many people
arriving sooner than the police did, and they were intoxicated.
The report says there were 446 officers facing 155,000 people.
However, once the night was over, 928 officers were on the street.
There were not too few police.
There were too many people.
Not too many people for the police, but too many people for the venue.
Keefe and Furlong insist more officers would not have prevented what happened.
However, the report says many mistakes were made.
The city and the Vancouver Police Department should have considered a worst-case scenario.
The police chief's strategy to be visible and greet fans became impossible because the
crowd was crushing and police couldn't move.
And police were too late getting on the ground for the 5 o'clock game.
The fans arrived long before most of the police.
The opportunity to set the tone was lost.
When the crowds turned ugly, police didn't react quickly enough.
Getting officers into tactical gear took too long and there was command confusion on the
street because of a faulty radio.
They should have had one of the helicopters in the air.
They should have had the police who were early deployed calling back in and saying, we've
got to rev up our deployment.
If I knew there was going to be a riot, I would have deployed way more police officers.
In a strange twist, the region's transportation system was too efficient that night, moving
thousands of people into the riot zone.
The report says if Vancouver wants to host a large event again, there has to be a better
regional plan.
Lisa Rossington, CTV News, Vancouver.
There is a lot of soul searching in the hockey world tonight following the sudden death of
Wade Bielak.
The body of the former NHL tough guy was found in a Toronto hotel room yesterday.
Numerous reports say he took his own life.
It's not clear if his 14-year career as an enforcer on the ice played a role, but in
the wake of two other hockey deaths, some say it's part of a disturbing trend.
CTV's John Vennevalli-Rao has more.
This is the last known photo taken of Wade Bielak on the right, smiling and posing with
a fan at a Toronto bar about 12 hours before his body was discovered in this downtown hotel,
with reports suggesting the NHL-er somehow killed himself.
You're just floored.
You just, you know, it just hits you like a punch in the stomach.
Today, those who knew Bielak on the ice said his sudden death just doesn't add up.
You didn't seem like a guy that had a lot of demons, and everywhere you played with
the media you had to find.
Bielak had recently retired from the game and was in Toronto filming a skating-based
reality TV show.
By most accounts he seemed happy, even to his dad, reached by phone in British Columbia.
Yeah, we had no indication at all that there was anything like this to be worried about.
Bielak was 35 and leaves behind two young children and a wife.
In a statement she said, Wade was a big man with an even bigger heart.
He was a deeply devoted father and husband, a loyal friend and a well-respected athlete.
This loss leaves a huge hole in our lives.
And a community of hockey players in disbelief, there's another death.
You know, this is the third gallery this summer.
I mean, it's, it's, you know, hard to grasp.
Just last month, Winnipeg forward Rick Rippon was found dead in his Alberta home.
He'd suffered from depression and in May, New York forward Derek Bougard died of a drug
overdose.
All three were enforcers, meaning they did a lot of fighting, prompting questions about
the toll that can take on a player.
Though some say it's not yet clear Bielak's death had anything to do with hockey.
We don't have the facts yet.
We don't know all of the information.
Meanwhile, Bielak's dad says his family is surprised things went this way and that he's
still not sure himself whether his son's death had anything to do with the game he loved.
John Venna Valley, Rauw, CTV news, Toronto.
It has been almost a week since Hurricane Irene slammed into the Eastern United States
and still the after effects linger on an estimated 1 million homes and businesses in five states
are still without power.
New York is in the worst shape.
Hydro crews have been brought in from other parts of the country to do repairs.
Officials say it could be another week or more until the lights are back on everywhere.
And far out over the Atlantic, another big storm is swirling towards land.
Katya has been downgraded from hurricane to tropical storm status, but forecasters say
you can bet money it's going to change.
Katya is expected to gain strength over the next two days and could be a major hurricane
when it reaches the Caribbean.
It is still about 1500 kilometers from land, but moving steadily westward.
Experts say it's still too soon to tell if it will hit the U.S. coast.
Coming up after the break, Canada takes new steps to help rebuild Libya and later.
Taking it on the road, some of the toughest new driving laws in the entire country.
This program is brought to you by BMO Team of the Week.
Visit BMOSoccer.com.
Amazing?
No!
Amoozing!
Yes!
Amuse-a-twist natural cheese snacks, a source of protein and calcium.
When you've been together as long as we have.
Honey, where's that?
Top shelf!
I can get a little routine.
That's why I decided to switch things up with Cottonel Ultra toilet paper.
Oh, yeah.
You see?
Nothing beats how thick it is.
You could say it's that one little switch that's made all the difference.
Beena, get dressed.
We're going dancing.
Little switches can make all the difference.
But that's unbeatable thickness, Cottonel Ultra is one little switch that'll change
how you feel.
Up on the ridge, 10 o'clock.
What do you think happened?
Apollo 18 in theaters Friday.
It's the big event at Ashley Furniture Home Store.
And the savings are enormous.
This sofa is only $5.99.
This sectional is only $8.99.
Big savings throughout the entire store.
Hundreds of groups less than $50 a month with interest-free financing for 36 months.
Ashley Furniture Home Store's big event is so big you won't believe your eyes.
And it's going on right now.
Apollo 18, you are looking good.
In theaters Friday.
As the search for Muammar Gaddafi continues, there is still another major challenge for
the new leaders of Libya.
How to deal with the ousted dictator's supporters.
Many of them took up arms and with the rebels now largely in control, tension is on the
rise and deep and dangerous divisions are everywhere.
CTV's Janice Manker-Fayer reports from Tripoli.
Out of loyalty or financial need, they all fought for Muammar Gaddafi.
Now they're prisoners under watch.
We are brothers, the most important thing is for the killing to stop, says this Gaddafi
soldier.
Yet when rebel guards are out of sight, the voices here shift.
I ask this man if he still believes in Gaddafi.
Beyond the only closed door is a woman, an accused sniper named Nasreen, who says she
was raped by Gaddafi men and forced to execute rebel fighters.
She's been brought here, nothing wrong with her, the whole lot, everything.
She knows more than anything else that she's never going to see the light of day again.
In an interview with CTV, the head of Tripoli's military council insisted that the war is
against a dictator, not each other.
But in these fragile days of a new Libya, those not aligned with the rebels fear vengeance.
Human rights groups say rebels are targeting sub-Saharan Africans on suspicion they are
hired mercenaries.
Many are migrant workers, and more than a thousand are hiding at an abandoned port with
no money, no passports and no one to help.
Which freedom fighter will take you and search you, take your money, take your funds, take
what you have here, after they have taken what you have in town.
A week after Gaddafi vanished, the de facto leadership here is also invisible.
Neighborhoods govern themselves.
Streets are overrun with rebel factions all claiming to be in charge.
In a series of audio messages, Muammar Gaddafi has promised a long war here.
He still has supporters, though it's unclear whether they'll rise up as the embattled leader
hopes or, like him, simply hide.
Lloyd?
Thank you, Janice.
Janice McEfrayer in Tripoli.
Releasing Libya rebuild after decades of oppression was the sole item on the agenda at a meeting
of world leaders in Paris, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Job one, releasing billions of frozen Libyan assets.
CTV's Richard Madden is traveling with the Prime Minister tonight.
After thanking the troops who played a big role in the Libya mission, the Prime Minister
then flew to Paris and joined other world leaders to plan for Libya's future.
But what Canada's enhanced role may be is unclear.
We haven't yet decided what specific areas we'll help in, but I can assure you that Canada
will remain for the transition, for humanitarian assistance, and we will make a substantial
contribution going forward.
Harper lifted sanctions that now let most Canadian businesses resume in Libya, but all
countries are still bound by the UN's international freeze of Libya's assets worth hundreds of
billions.
Libya's new government insists that cash is needed to rebuild.
We need international community to support us with lifting sanctions.
Some UN countries are skeptical of Libya's new government and refuse to recognize them,
but other countries are calling on the UN to release the cash.
Today's meeting validated the confidence that all the other nations around the table
had placed in the TNC.
Harper even hinted UN bureaucracy is getting in the way.
The National Transitional Council is the legitimate government of the people of Libya and should
have access to monies that belong to the Libyan people.
Late tonight, Harper met with Libya's new government, saying Canada will stick with
the mission until the job is done.
Back at home, though, critics say Parliament must approve any new mission.
There should be a focus on civilian and diplomatic initiative.
World leaders say the Arab Spring cannot give way to a winter of oppression, but rebuilding
Libya could get messy and take years.
That's why more than 60 nations have pledged their support.
Richard Madden, CTV News, Paris.
In business news, markets in New York and Toronto dipped into negative territory today
over ongoing concerns about the fragile global recovery.
Here's a quick glance at some of those closing numbers.
We are back shortly, but first, what's coming up in local news.
Not only is this the first day of September and the first day of back to school, it's
also the first day under Alberta's new distracted driving legislation.
And after a day of sunshine, looks like we're in for another cool down.
David's in with your weather at 1130.
CTV, a division of Bell Media.
In 1966, a top secret unit was formed.
That's good.
Their assignment, hunt down and capture Nazi war criminals.
The very thing you're doing.
I'm terrified.
Their story continues to this day.
Critics are raving.
The death is a talk.
Pulse pounding.
Finish it.
Exhilarating thrill.
Helen Mirren is superb.
And you would have to pay.
The debt.
Now playing.
What makes an Acura an Acura?
Incredible control.
Talk is actually sent to the outside rear wheel to power me through the turn.
I absolutely love this and alert if someone's sitting in my blind spot.
Brilliant.
High performance fidelity created by a Grammy award winning sound engineer.
Nuff said.
Acura is celebrating 25 years in Canada, but you get the gift.
Enjoy an outstanding offer on all 2012 Acuras.
When my mom buys groceries at Walmart, it means that I get to enjoy more of my favorite foods.
Every single day.
Which I've come to discover.
Makes my school week much more enjoyable.
In more ways than one.
Get back to school favorites at unbeatable prices.
Walmart.
Save money.
Live better.
To wake up rare and go turn to the smart breakfast choices at Subway restaurants like our ham and cheese egg muffin melt or the sunrise subway egg muffin melt.
Both made with egg white omelet.
Add lots of vegetables to build a better breakfast and try our yogurt parfait.
Subway.
Think fresh.
Eat fresh.
Closed captioning is brought to you by CTV News mobile TV.
Now available on Bell smartphones and tablets.
Starting today motorists in Alberta have to live by a whole new set of rules.
Talking on cell phones.
Programming the GPS.
Putting on makeup.
The province was the last to introduce laws against distracted driving.
But in Alberta they have revved it up a couple of notches.
CTV's Janet Dirks has more.
Busted.
This Calgary man.
One of the first to get a ticket under Alberta's new distracted driving legislation.
I was actually talking to work and like oh no.
Oh.
That earned him a fine of $172.
Expensive.
This woman also got a ticket.
Because she was texting while stopped at a red light.
Any questions at all?
She's not pleased.
I'm not going to be using my cell phone while I'm on the road anymore.
Under the new rules there are several driving don'ts.
As this woman learned.
No more talking, texting, looking at anything to do with your cell phone.
Drivers are also forbidden from reading, operating a GPS, putting on makeup, even eating.
But it's up to police to decide whether to issue a ticket.
Sipping a cup of coffee is taking one hand off the wheel.
Drivers are still up on the roadway.
Not a huge concern for me.
The most common excuse in these early hours from Alberta drivers is they didn't know today was the day.
Even though the legislation was introduced more than a year ago.
The driver of this blue pickup admitted he knew the law.
Oh my stupid phone.
You were.
He got a warning.
I'm happy.
I'm $172 richer.
It's not so funny to Amanda Stokes on painkillers ever since a driver rear ended her car.
He was on a cell phone.
There's people on the receiving end.
So people would just stop and realize the potential.
The potential impact that they're having on other people's lives.
The Alberta government promises the public will be protected by the new rules.
And those who don't keep their eyes on the road will be punished.
Janet Dirks, CTV News, Calgary.
One of the biggest names in women's tennis has been sidelined at the U.S. Open Tournament in New York.
But not by an opponent.
Venus Williams announced that she has been diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome.
A rare and chronic autoimmune disease.
Major symptoms include dry eyes, dry mouth and joint pain.
He is an 11 year old hockey player who made the shot but got the shaft.
This was the contest in Minnesota a couple of weeks ago.
Nate Smith, remember his name, wound up and snapped the puck half the length of the ice into a tiny slot in the net.
Good for $50,000.
But the company promoting the contest disqualified him because his twin brother Nick was supposed to be out there on the ice.
The consolation prize, $20,000 will be donated to youth hockey in the boys' name.
And when we return, a final word.
Well Lloyd, this truly is the end of an era.
You've been delivering the news since I was barely more than a boy.
You've been doing it for so long and so authoritatively.
You've almost become part of Canada's geography.
And I know that Canadians from coast to coast are going to miss you.
On our part, Laureen and I want to wish you and Nancy all the best as you chart a new course in life.
On behalf of DNDP and all Canadians, have a great retirement with friends and family.
Thanks again.
When Canadians think of Lloyd Robertson, they think of one word and only one word, integrity.
His word is everything.
He is authenticity.
He is authority.
He's a good-humored guy.
He's a great Canadian.
He's a great broadcaster.
And dare I say it, he's a good friend.
Get away!
Contagion in theaters and IMAX September 9th.
If you're quitting, try the Nicorette inhaler.
It's the closest thing to smoking without smoking.
For every cigarette, there's a Nicorette.
Those nights I was kept awake by pain from seized muscles, I tried lots of things.
Then I found new Tylenol Body Pain Knife.
It has a pain reliever and a muscle relaxant to release tense muscles so I can get to sleep.
New Tylenol Body Pain Knife.
Get back to normal, whatever your normal is.
This is an emotional win for me for sure.
My horse was unbelievable today.
I can't think of a better place to do it.
The Spruce Meadows Masters, September 7th to 11th.
Up on the ridge, 10 o'clock.
What do you think happened?
Apollo 18 in theaters Friday.
We're going back with George.
Our George Kids Quality Guarantee promises that if our clothes wear out before your kid outgrows them, we'll replace it.
This is George.
And so we come to the end.
And it couldn't happen at a more fitting time than the beginning of September 2011.
It was 35 years ago this month that I agreed to come to work for CTV.
And Harvey Kirk and I teamed up for a successful seven and a half year run.
During that period and since, we have had the usual ups and downs in the news cycle from natural disasters to royal weddings.
And I am deeply grateful to the many of you who have stayed with us through it all.
For me, it's been a rare privilege to have been able to serve in this position for so long.
It's been a front row seat to history.
If someone had told me 60 years ago this would be my life, I would have said they were crazy.
Most of all, it's been fascinating to watch our country grow in confidence and stature.
We have developed a unique place in the world.
We can brag in that modest Canadian way, of course, about our AAA credit rating,
about the success of the Vancouver Olympics,
and look forward with some assurance that we won't have to undergo the near-death experience of another Quebec referendum.
Thank you a thousand times over for all of your touching messages, some that speak of watching through the generations.
There is the woman from Ontario who tells me that as a student, our familiar opening music would take her from studying at 11 o'clock
to join with her parents for the newscast and discuss the events of the day.
She now does the same with her own children.
Without her and people like her, I would not have been around for so very long.
It's not false modesty to say that I am only the most visible member of a highly skilled and thoroughly dedicated team of news, production,
and technical professionals all around me here and out beyond.
I can simply never offer them praise enough.
The CTV National News with Lisa LaFlambe begins on Monday.
I will see you along the way.
And that's the kind of day it's been this Thursday, September the 1st.
For all of us at CTV News, good night.
Oh, thanks for the memory.
Oh, thanks Lord so much.
CTV News, Canada's number one newscast.