You may see her everyday on TV delivering news as well as traffic and weather updates for CTV Toronto, but at the end of the day, Filipino-Canadian Zuraidah Alman believes her job—despite the long, strenuous hours—is a privilege.
Moving to Canada
Zuraidah was only two years old when her family immigrated to Canada to join their extended family. As she grew up, she became more aware of her new homeland.
“The challenges I remember growing up had to do with my parents adjusting to the cultural changes, raising kids who were growing up Canadian in a Filipino household,” Zuraidah recalls. “It was a learning and growing experience for the whole family, incorporating both cultures in our day to day lives.”
Despite spending most of her life in Canada, her parents helped Zuraidah stay in touch with her Filipino heritage.
Like many Filipino families who moved to Canada, making their way through a new country and getting used to its culture while raising kids and trying to make a living presented numerous challenges for their family. But they made the most out of their situation, grabbed every opportunity, and got to where they are today.
‘Free and Democratic Country’
Zuraidah believes the best thing about living in Canada is the country’s openness to multiculturalism.
“The best thing [about Canada is] living in a free and democratic country,” she shares with PCI. “[The] opportunity to get an education and chase your dreams. A country that embraces multiculturalism, where you can be a proud Canadian while also never forgetting your roots.”
And that’s exactly what she did. She earned her degree in Applied Arts in Journalism from Ryerson University and Political Science from York University where she graduated with honours.
A Journalist in Canada
Zuraidah has been working as a journalist for over a decade when she joined CTV Toronto in 2008 as a reporter. She experienced working for Global TV, CityTV, and CP24. She even covered major stories that etched itself to Canada’s history, including the 2005 Boxing Day shootings, the Caledonia blockades, and the tragic plane crash of Air France.
Today, she’s the familiar face and voice of CTV News at Noon, Canada AM, and CTV News Toronto.
“It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to tell stories that matter to Canadians,” Zuraidah beams. The hours can be long, it’s a balancing act being having a career and family.”
Her hours may be long and her schedule hectic, but she never lost time for her family. In 2010, she and her husband John Beattie were blessed with a daughter, Mackenzie Elizabeth. According to Zuraidah, she spends her nights and weekends with her family—making it a point to enjoy quality time with them.
Like everybody else, Zuraidah gets good and bad days, but having a great support system helped her get over the not-so-good days. She believes the same is true when it comes to moving to a new country.
“Find a community network, talk to others,” Zuraidah tells newcomers to Canada. “There is a Filipino community in every major city. There is an association or group for everything. They will be a valuable resource.”
All photos courtesy of Zuraidah Alman