Fired by CTV National News last month after a 35-year career, acclaimed host Lisa LaFlamme joins CityNews as a special correspondent to lead coverage of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The network belonging to the Rogers Media group made the announcement on Friday morning by presenting its detailed coverage plan for the next few days concerning the death of the monarch.
“Media coverage of such a pivotal moment in history is integral to fulfilling our mission to keep Canadians connected and informed, and Lisa LaFlamme’s incredible talent and wealth of experience are height of an event of this magnitude,” said Colette Watson, President of Rogers, in a press release.
Lisa LaFlamme will be deployed to London to lead live coverage of the Queen’s funeral. She will also have the mandate to deliver daily reports for television and radio news bulletins on the legacy left by the monarch, but also on the transition to the reign of King Charles III.
The former host for her part said she was honored to be able to help tell the story of the queen and the legacy she leaves behind. “The Queen is the only monarch most of us have ever known. We grew up with Her Majesty and we mourn the passing of this remarkable and inspiring woman,” she added.
Controversial dismissal
CTV’s firing of Lisa LaFlamme — two years before the end of her contract and after 35 years there — drew sharp criticism across the country last month. The 58-year-old presenter announced the news herself in a video posted on her social media explaining that she was “caught off guard” when Bell Media terminated her contract in June.
Bell Media said that the termination of Ms. LaFlamme’s contract was a “business decision”, based on “the evolution of viewer habits”.
Many criticisms flared up in the following days as well as several speculations as to what were the reasons that really pushed the network to fire the host.
Questioned in various English-speaking Canadian media, ex-colleagues of Lisa LaFlamme alleged that she would have participated in the establishment of a toxic climate within the newsroom. Others see it as a decision tinged with sexism and ageism on the part of management, as CTV News chief Michael Melling reportedly raised questions about the host’s gray hair in the past year. The host and Mr. Melling also had divergent views on what news to prioritize in the newsletter and how to allocate expenses based on assignments.
Saying to take the allegations of discrimination “very seriously”, Bell Media indicated at the end of August the launch of an “independent assessment” on the working climate in its CTV newsroom.
A few days later, Michael Melling, took an indefinite leave “to spend time with his family”.