CBC's Heather Hiscox to sign off after 20 years hosting national morning news

Heather Hiscox will say good morning to loyal CBC News viewers for the last time this fall, as she steps away from the anchor desk after 20 years as host of CBC Morning Live on CBC News Network. 

The veteran broadcaster, who announced her retirement on Wednesday morning at CBC's 2025-26 season preview, says revealing her decision to move on comes with a "torrent of emotion" but also "deep, abiding gratitude" for having a platform to have a conversation with Canadians every morning. 

"I'm very proud of what we have created as a morning team. Above all, I'm forever indebted to Canadians, my faithful viewers. Their support has sustained me. Earning and keeping their trust has been my most rewarding achievement," she said. 

Hiscox's final broadcast will be Nov. 6, exactly 20 years since her first morning broadcast on what was then known as CBC Newsworld.

It will be a live audience event at the CBC Broadcasting Centre in downtown Toronto. 

But before that, Canadians will have the chance to connect with Hiscox in person as she takes CBC Morning Live on the road this fall to share their stories from across the country. 

"What a gift it will be able to say goodbye and thank you in person, in fall," she said. 

CBC executive vice-president Barb Williams says she "can't think of a better way to honour her legacy" than to have Hiscox "bring CBC's national lens to local communities." 

Coming out on to the stage at the preview event, Williams shared a hug with Hiscox and praised her as "one of a kind."

"Heather, we have been so fortunate to have you up early every morning with us, making sure we got our day going. We depend on you," she said. "You really are here for Canada." 

Hiscox will be missed "immensely," said Andree Lau, the senior director of digital publishing and streaming at CBC News. 

But she said she's both "happy and sad" about Hiscox's big news.

"Happy for Heather and her personal decision after so many years of waking up in the wee hours," Lau said in an email. "And, of course, sad to no longer have her talent and expertise at CBC News."

"She brings an incredible standard, work ethic and understanding of how the range of news engages with our audience, that lifts all those around her and has made all of us at CBC News better," Lau said.