Bell Media released a statement earlier today, saying it is dealing with a “difficult” change this week: its split with Lisa LaFlamme, who since 2011 has anchored one of Canada’s most popular newscasts. CTV National News. “CTV regrets that the manner in which the news of her departure was communicated may have left viewers with the wrong impression of CTV’s treatment of Lisa and her remarkable career,” the statement said. Bell, CTV’s parent company, was responding to outrage online Monday when LaFlamme announced in a video posted to Twitter that the company had decided to terminate her contract early. The ousted star said CTV first informed her of her impending ouster on June 29, adding that she felt “blindsided” by what executives described as a “professional decision.” The company also announced Monday that Vancouver-born journalist Omar Sachedina will become CTV News’ new chief correspondent and editor-in-chief on Sept. 5. Social media users were quick to voice their support for LaFlamme. “You have my absolute respect and admiration,” singer Anne Murray tweeted. “You will rise high.” Some noted that LaFlamme, 58, was not allowed to remain an anchor as long as some of her male colleagues and was not allowed to leave her job with grace. The Globe reported that Michael Melling, Bell Media’s vice president of news, had questioned LaFlamme’s decision to stop dying her hair. Solidarity with her gray locks was strong. Raina Douris, the Canadian host of National Public Radio World Cafesaid that the fixation on women’s physical appearance also exists on the radio: Karen Kane, the former ballet dancer who recently retired from her role as artistic director of the National Ballet of Canada, expressed her dismay at Bell’s treatment of LaFlamme. “How is it possible in this day and age that we treat her this way?” the 71-year-old asked on Facebook. Although many have speculated that sexism was behind Bell’s decision, one male sportswriter argued that it was age, not gender, that was the issue. 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.
