Former CTV National News anchor Lisa LaFlamme reportedly nominated herself for a 2023 Canadian Screen Award after her past employer, Bell Media, allegedly pulled her name from their nomination submissions, according to The Star.
Sources reportedly told the newspaper that LaFlamme was “hurt” by the snub and chose to independently nominate herself for an award as best national news anchor. The sources requested “anonymity, citing fear of professional repercussions.”
Now Toronto has reached out to Bell Media but has yet to receive a comment.
On Wednesday, the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television announced nominees for the 2023 Canadian Screen Awards in 145 television, film, and digital media categories.
LaFlamme has been nominated for best national news anchor, alongside Dawn Friesen from Global National News and Adrienne Arsenault, Ian Hanomansing, and Andrew Chang from CBC’s The National.
CTV National News with Lisa LaFlamme was also nominated for best national newscast.
Bell Media issued a news release after the nominations were released congratulating their 183 nominations but failed to mention LaFlamme’s name.
LaFlamme’s contract was terminated by Bell Media in August 2022. She had been with the station for 35 years and was only 58 years old at the time, with many years to go until retirement.
In a Twitter video announcing her departure, LaFlamme said she was informed on June 29, 2022 that Bell Media made a “business decision” to end her contract.
“I was blindsided and I’m still shocked and saddened by Bell Media’s decision,” she said in the video.
Many were shocked and public outrage ensued over the loss of the beloved news anchor. Some said she was let go after letting her hair go grey during the pandemic.
A long list of high-profile Canadians even issued an open letter in the Globe and Mail condemning LaFlamme’s abrupt dismissal and stated she was an award-winning leader for the company “until one thing changed: the colour of her hair.”
Bell, however, said the decision to not continue her contract reflected “massive changes to traditional broadcasting in Canada.”
“The narrative has been that Lisa’s age, gender or grey hair played into the decision,” Mirko Bibic, president and CEO of BCE Inc. & Bell Canada, wrote in a LinkedIn post.
“I am satisfied that this is not the case and wanted to make sure you heard it from me,” he added.
Bibic also said that former Bell Media vice-president of news Michael Melling was taking a leave from his job after being the subject of “various allegations.”
Melling was subsequently permanently replaced by Richard Gray. Melling has since been reassigned to vice president of shared services.
Bell also launched an independent workplace review of the CTV National newsroom after LaFlamme was let go, and the findings reflected “a culture where people are sometimes afraid to raise concerns for fear of reprisal or inaction,” according to documents obtained by The Canadian Press.
The 2023 Canadian Screen Awards is scheduled to air on April 16 at 8 p.m.
