(Toronto) Several personalities in English Canada have signed an open letter to strongly criticize Bell Media following the abrupt departure of CTV anchor Lisa LaFlamme.
Posted at 10:56 a.m.
The letter signed by several big names in the arts, politics and business, including Margaret Norrie McCain, Anne Murray and Jim Balsillie was published in a double-page spread on Saturday. Globe and Mail.
The signers write that Lisa LaFlamme was considered by the company to be one of its ratings assets until one thing changed: her hair color.
The letter is addressed to the board of directors of BCE and Bell Canada. According to the signatories, the departure of the anchorwoman at the zenith of her career highlights the sexism and ageism that women continue to face in the workplace.
The “business decision” destroyed the confidence that these personalities had in Bell Media. They wonder how the company “will be able to repair its wrongs”.
This missive comes the day after an internal Bell Media memo was released indicating that Michael Melling, vice president of news, was taking time off immediately to spend time with his family.