Lisa LaFlamme was let go as his anchor CTV National News after 35 years at the network in a decision the veteran journalist said blindsided her and one that shocked colleagues and viewers. CTV’s parent company, Bell Media, said the removal of Ms. LaFlamme was a business decision it was intended to respond to the changing habits of viewers, although he did not elaborate. Ms. LaFlamme, who has been the face of CTV’s national broadcast since 2011, posted a two-minute video on Twitter Monday in which she said she was told June 29 that the network was terminating her contract. She said she was told to remain silent until the details of the departure were finalised. “I’m still shocked and saddened,” she said. “At 58, I still thought I would have much more time to tell more of the stories that affect our daily lives. Instead, I leave CTV humbled by the people who believed in me to tell their story.” The longtime anchor and foreign correspondent has spent her career covering some of the biggest stories in Canada and the world, including the Iraq War and other conflicts, natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina and global spectacles like the Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Most recently, Ms. LaFlamme covered Russia’s war on Ukraine and the Pope’s historic apology for the Catholic Church’s role in Canada’s residential school system. Bell Media announced her departure in a press release Monday and said Omar Sachedina will replace Ms. LaFlamme on Sept. 5. Mr. Sachedina is a national affairs correspondent for CTV News who joined the network in 2009. “Recognizing the changing habits of television viewers, CTV recently informed LaFlamme that it had made a business decision to move its acclaimed newscast, CTV National News, and the role of lead news anchor in a different direction,” the company said. Bell Media did not make anyone available for an interview to explain the decision and instead referred The Globe and Mail to the company’s news releases. Earlier this year, Ms. LaFlamme was named Best National News Anchor at the Canadian Screen Awards, having won the year before. In 2019, she was named to the Order of Canada and has many other honors attached to her name. She took over the role of top news anchor in 2011 when Lloyd Robertson retired at 77. She had spent more than four decades as a national news anchor and was looking back on a storied career before signing off on a newscast for the last time on September 1. year. In her Twitter video, Ms. LaFlamme thanked her colleagues, viewers and loved ones for their “unwavering support” and said the video was likely her official departure from CTV. “While it is overwhelming to leave CTV National News in a way that is not my choice, please know that reporting to you has truly been the greatest honor of my life,” he said. Her departure from the network sparked outrage on social media from colleagues and industry supporters, with some questioning whether gender discrimination played a role in her removal. Jeffrey Dworkin, former director of the University of Toronto’s journalism program, said it’s a fair criticism and one Bell Media should consider. “I think they’re looking for a younger, different demographic, and Omar Sachedina fulfills that,” Mr. Dvorkin said. “But I think Bell Media may have underestimated the kind of commitment people have to radio and television audiences. There’s a real intimacy in radio journalism.” Shari Graydon, executive director and catalyst for Informed Opinions, an organization that supports women’s voices in the media, called Ms. LaFlamme’s treatment “deeply troubling.” “When you juxtapose Lloyd Robertson who’s gone at 77 and Lisa LaFlamme is basically two decades younger than that, the visuals are pretty bad,” she said in an interview, noting that Mr. Robertson had a chance to say goodbye to the network — as opposition on social media. Ms. Graydon also emphasized the importance of Ms. LaFlamme’s leading role in public perception, both for women and girls considering the aspirations they can pursue, but also for boys and men, showing them that “ women are as capable, as authoritative, as knowledgeable as their male counterparts.” Concerns about discrimination against journalists on air are not new. Almost 40 years ago, American TV anchor Christine Kraft won a high-profile case against her station in Kansas City, claiming it had demoted her because she was “too big, unattractive and not respectful enough of men”. In 2019, five female anchorwomen sued the parent company of NY1, a well-known New York station, alleging gender and age discrimination. The anchors, who ranged in age from 40 to 61 at the time, settled on their suit in 2020. Robert Hurst, former president of CTV News, said in an interview Monday that he was surprised by the announcement for Ms. LaFlamme, but does not know what led to the decision. He declined to comment on the perspective of her departure, but spoke fondly of her career, having hired her at CTV many years ago. “She was just a wonderful reporter who traveled the country and the world for us and when it came time for Lloyd Robertson to step down, she was the obvious choice. I was obviously a big fan when we put Lisa in the anchor chair,” Mr Hurst said. “Journalism was in her blood.” Ian Hanomansing, who co-hosts the rival CBC News national show The National, said on Twitter that Ms. LaFlamme’s departure left him speechless. “Lisa is one of the best at what she does. I know incredibly arbitrary decisions can be made in this business, but Lisa, you deserve better than this. Much better,” he tweeted. Global National simile anchor Dawna Friesen expressed shock. “Since we started working together years ago at CTV, I’ve watched you break through and earn the respect of colleagues, competitors and viewers. None of us hold on to these gigs forever, but it seems to me you deserve better than this.” Current and former politicians also chimed in on social media about Ms. LaFlamme being shown the door. Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley called her “a great voice in Canadian media.” Former Liberal MP Catherine McKenna called the move to end her contract a “disgusting way to treat an incredible journalist”. Former NDP MP Peggy Nash tweeted that Ms. LaFlamme deserved respect and appreciation for her years of hard work and success. “Instead, you received disrespect and dismissal,” Ms Nash wrote. In a video released via Twitter on Monday, CTV National News anchor Lisa LaFlamme said Bell Media notified her on June 29 of the “professional decision” to terminate her contract. LaFlamme had worked for the network for 35 years. The Globe and Mail The Morning Update and Afternoon Update newsletters are written by Globe editors, giving you a concise summary of the day’s most important headlines. Sign up today.
