LaFlamme “blindsided” and “shocked” by Bell Media’s decision to end her contract
TORONTO — CTV’s long-time chief news anchor and senior editor Lisa LaFlamme is being let go by the network, according to a press release today from Bell Media and a Twitter video (above) posted by LaFlamme herself.
“On June 29th, I was informed that Bell Media made a quote ‘business decision’ to end my contract, bringing to a sudden close my long career with CTV News,” LaFlamme said in the video shared with her Twitter followers.
“I was blindsided and I’m still shocked and saddened by Bell Media’s decision. I was also asked to keep this confidential from my colleagues and the public until the specifics of my exit could be resolved. That has now happened, and I want you to know what these last 35 years have meant to me. Everything,” she said.
LaFlamme, who has been with CTV News for 35 years, has anchored CTV National News since 2011. Before that, she was CTV News’ national affairs correspondent for more than a decade.
She went on to say in the video, at age 58, she thought she would still have “a lot more time to tell more of the stories that impact our daily lives.”
“Instead, I leave CTV humbled by the people who put their faith in me to tell their story. I guess this is my sign off from CTV, so I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of you, to my incredible colleagues for their unwavering support, my dear friends and my loving family. While it is crushing to be leaving CTV National News in a manner that is not my choice, please know reporting to you has truly been the greatest honour of my life and I thank you for always being there.”
For its part, Bell Media said in its press release CTV had recently advised LaFlamme “it had made the business decision to move its acclaimed news show, CTV National News, and the role if its Chief News Anchor in a different direction.”
In a separate press release today, Bell Media announced Omar Sachedina has been named chief news anchor and senior editor of CTV National News, effective Monday, Sept. 5.
Sachedina first joined CTV National News in 2009 as a correspondent in Toronto. He is currently national affairs correspondent for CTV News.
“As a veteran journalist who brings years of experience to his new role as anchor, Omar Sachedina is the ideal choice to lead the coverage being delivered by CTV National News each and every day across a variety of platforms,” said Karine Moses, senior vice-president of content development and news at Bell Media, and Bell’s vice-chair, Québec, in the release.
“For more than a decade, he has played a key role in keeping Canadians informed of breaking news unfolding across Canada and around the world. Omar is a skilled anchor who connects with our viewers, and with him at the helm, we’re excited to maintain the status of CTV National News as Canada’s most-watched national newscast.”
Speaking about LaFlamme in the release announcing her departure from CTV News, Moses called LaFlamme “a trusted broadcaster and distinguished voice in Canadian news” who “has been on the front line of the world’s biggest headlines.”
“With an unfailing commitment to delivering the stories that matter most to Canadians as part of Canada’s leading news team, Lisa has deftly guided viewers through both turbulent times and celebration, and we wish her nothing but the best as she begins a new chapter,” Moses said.
Update: Canadaland is reporting several sources have said LaFlamme “was unceremoniously and clumsily fired because she pushed back against one Bell Media executive…”
The sources were referring to Michael Melling, Bell Media’s vice-president of news. LaFlamme clashed with Melling on the size of CTV’s budget for its Ukraine war coverage and on Melling wanting to shuffle LaFlamme’s executive producer Rosa Hwang off to CP24, Canadaland says.
Furthermore, Canadaland reports staff at CTV National News found out LaFlamme was leaving the network at the same time the public did, “stunning” the CTV sources spoken to for the story, and that a high-level source at program said Melling determined the copy about LaFlamme’s departure used by the show.
