40 years was a good run for him. Whether he was retired or he decided to retire, I’m sure he’s enjoying life on a golf course.
Ex-CTV anchor Lisa LaFlamme says Bell cancelled her contract
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Bell Executive Who Fired Lisa LaFlamme Interfered With CTV News Coverage, Says Colleague
"He doesn't like it when women push back."
AUGUST 15, 2022
NEWS BRIEF BY JESSE BROWN
CTV
FEATURED
LISA LAFLAMME
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Lisa LaFlamme, chief anchor of CTV National News, was unceremoniously and clumsily fired because she pushed back against one Bell Media executive, say several sources with firsthand knowledge of the situation.
Michael Melling, vice president of news at Bell Media, is responsible for ousting LaFlamme, multiple sources tell Canadaland.
Melling did not immediately respond to emails requesting comment.
One high-level CTV National News source provided Canadaland with a thorough account of today’s events, aspects of which were corroborated by other sources.
CTV National News staff found out about LaFlamme’s exit at the same time as the public, stunning CTV team members who were spoken with for this story.
LaFlamme clashed with Melling on two key issues: one, as previously reported by The Toronto Star, was a dispute about the size of the budget CTV News had dedicated to coverage of the Ukraine war – LaFlamme wanted more resources than Melling wished to provide.
In another instance, LaFlamme stood up for her executive producer Rosa Hwang when Melling tried to shuffle her off of the CTV National News broadcast and into a role at their local Toronto news channel, CP24.
But the issues that CTV journalists have with Melling run deeper. “He’s a company man,” says the high-level CTV source. “He does not stand up for the journalists…He doesn’t like it when women push back and he brags about how he’s destroyed careers of anyone who dares push back.”
Melling also allegedly interfered with CTV’s news coverage, breaking a promise Bell Media made after a prior incursion from an executive into the newsroom.
In April of 2015, Bell Media’s then-president and CEO George Cope ousted Bell Media president Kevin Crull for interfering in CTV News coverage, and vowed that “the independence of Bell Media’s news operations is of paramount importance to our company and to all Canadians. There can be no doubt that Bell will always uphold the journalistic standards that have made CTV the most trusted brand in Canadian news.”
Our high-level source at CTV National News alleges that Melling broke this vow today, when he seized control of the newsroom to shape its coverage of LaFlamme’s ousting.
“Melling determined the copy that went into the show about LaFlamme’s departure,” they tell Canadaland.
Also, “he wanted a talkback with Omar (Sachedina),” LaFlamme’s replacement.
However, the newsroom resisted this directive, feeling that it would be inappropriate and disloyal to LaFlamme for CTV to include a segment with her replacement while denying her the opportunity to address her viewers.
Melling conceded the point, Canadaland is told.
Finally, our high-level source questions the official reason Bell Media gave LaFlamme for firing her.
"He doesn't like it when women push back."
AUGUST 15, 2022
NEWS BRIEF BY JESSE BROWN
CTV
FEATURED
LISA LAFLAMME
SHARE
Lisa LaFlamme, chief anchor of CTV National News, was unceremoniously and clumsily fired because she pushed back against one Bell Media executive, say several sources with firsthand knowledge of the situation.
Michael Melling, vice president of news at Bell Media, is responsible for ousting LaFlamme, multiple sources tell Canadaland.
Melling did not immediately respond to emails requesting comment.
One high-level CTV National News source provided Canadaland with a thorough account of today’s events, aspects of which were corroborated by other sources.
CTV National News staff found out about LaFlamme’s exit at the same time as the public, stunning CTV team members who were spoken with for this story.
LaFlamme clashed with Melling on two key issues: one, as previously reported by The Toronto Star, was a dispute about the size of the budget CTV News had dedicated to coverage of the Ukraine war – LaFlamme wanted more resources than Melling wished to provide.
In another instance, LaFlamme stood up for her executive producer Rosa Hwang when Melling tried to shuffle her off of the CTV National News broadcast and into a role at their local Toronto news channel, CP24.
But the issues that CTV journalists have with Melling run deeper. “He’s a company man,” says the high-level CTV source. “He does not stand up for the journalists…He doesn’t like it when women push back and he brags about how he’s destroyed careers of anyone who dares push back.”
Melling also allegedly interfered with CTV’s news coverage, breaking a promise Bell Media made after a prior incursion from an executive into the newsroom.
In April of 2015, Bell Media’s then-president and CEO George Cope ousted Bell Media president Kevin Crull for interfering in CTV News coverage, and vowed that “the independence of Bell Media’s news operations is of paramount importance to our company and to all Canadians. There can be no doubt that Bell will always uphold the journalistic standards that have made CTV the most trusted brand in Canadian news.”
Our high-level source at CTV National News alleges that Melling broke this vow today, when he seized control of the newsroom to shape its coverage of LaFlamme’s ousting.
“Melling determined the copy that went into the show about LaFlamme’s departure,” they tell Canadaland.
Also, “he wanted a talkback with Omar (Sachedina),” LaFlamme’s replacement.
However, the newsroom resisted this directive, feeling that it would be inappropriate and disloyal to LaFlamme for CTV to include a segment with her replacement while denying her the opportunity to address her viewers.
Melling conceded the point, Canadaland is told.
Finally, our high-level source questions the official reason Bell Media gave LaFlamme for firing her.
Most people get their news via social media apps in real time, often from the actual source (on twitter, or some other shit) so less and less people are waiting for the nightly news.
Also maybe Bell is looking to increase viewership in younger people, whom I’m sure don’t want to be told how it is by a wealthy, grey-haired older white woman who merely reads what she is handed.
For about 30 minutes a day.
Wonder what she was paid over her career? Or yearly? How many additional perks did she enjoy? All kinds of freebies due to her recognizability/celebrity. And she was told about her dismissal a while ago.
Times change, Lisa. Tough shit, but you had a good run.
Also maybe Bell is looking to increase viewership in younger people, whom I’m sure don’t want to be told how it is by a wealthy, grey-haired older white woman who merely reads what she is handed.
For about 30 minutes a day.
Wonder what she was paid over her career? Or yearly? How many additional perks did she enjoy? All kinds of freebies due to her recognizability/celebrity. And she was told about her dismissal a while ago.
Times change, Lisa. Tough shit, but you had a good run.
I don't care that she was "retired". People come and go. It's the WAY they did it. Mansbridge (CBC) they played that one for a month on his farewell. Same with Lloyd Robertson. Same with Ken Shaw. All got the hero's send off. They could have had the decency to let her say "goodbye" on air like everyone else has. It was a bad call.
Wow. I'm actually shocked. That's insane and totally unprofessional. Was it only the people being let go on the call? I suspect that might have been the case....Still, it is just crazy.Jon Pole does a podcast. The Pole Position. Episode 1… he described it. He could not believe how unprofessional it was.
Here… I took 30 seconds and dug it up.
Episode #1 - Jon, do a podcast!
I finally caved and I'm doing a podcast. We cover off how the show got canceled as part of the Bell Media massacre. Reaction to PETA wanting us to change howwww.spreaker.com
Yeah… it was described as a 2 min call. Everyone on the was simply told that Bell was terminating employment effective immediately… and each person would receive something in the mail with terms. Thank you for your service. Have a nice day.
probably 15 or 16 people on the call… both on and off air personalities.
This tweet by her replacement didn't go over so well. He was probably put up to it.
A post I came across over on the broadcasting board, copied and pasted:
This decision was actually made at the end of June, so Lisa has been sitting on this news for like the last month and a half. The same thing happened with Global Montreal's lead news anchor Jamie Orchard, but she at least got to say goodbye on air.
This has got to be one of the dumbest moves CTV News and Bell Media have ever committed.
Reports of toxic workplace surrounding her and Hwang starting to surface - not sure what to believe - I did enjoy her in the evenings though - too bad if these stories are true.
I had a big fight with bell many years ago. My long distance carrier closed up so bell took over without telling me and charged me full price for the long distances. I cancelled them since and they still keep calling me back since.
I thought her contract was set to expire. Or was her current contract bought-out?
In fairness…. I didn’t mind Tim Hudak but he was married to Deb Hutton. Can’t win down here.
Funny, he was a neighbour in Ajax, had 2 sons, one about 12 years old has such an eloquent voice that he could have done the news. Also his wife was quite beautiful although a little overweight, sang with a group at Christmas visiting homes. They were, (are?) a lovely couple.
Sandie Rinaldo is 72 years old and CTV is keeping her around, LaFlamme must have been asking for a hefty raise and a bowl of red M&Ms in her dressing room.
That would be the perfect time to oust her. Just let the contract lapse.
