Veteran Canadian Journalist Lisa LaFlamme – Women in Media Over 40 Overcoming Misogyny, Sexism, and Ageism

Imagine spending 35 years at the top of your career and suddenly let go.

Bell Media didn’t renew 58-year-old Veteran Canadian Journalist, Lisa LaFlamme, former chief anchor, and senior editor of CTV National News contract, when executives opted to take the newscast in “a different direction.”

Blind-sided by their “business decision”, LaFlamme spoke out publicly about her dismissal, and went viral on social media.

Accusations of misogyny, sexism, and ageism over LaFlamme's termination sparked public outrage.

Bell Media published a statement that they would be "taking steps to initiate an independent, third-party internal workplace review.“

Bell Executive, Melling asked who approved the decision to 'let Lisa’s hair go grey.' The issue of LaFlamme’s hair colour came up again on set when Lisa’s hair began taking on a purple hue under studio lighting.

Bibic, another Bell Executive, contradicted CTV's explanation, stating that the leave was "pending the outcome of the workplace review." Journalists within the CTV newsroom issued a letter to Bibic, BCE's board of directors, and president "expressing a lack of confidence in Melling's leadership", "serious concerns" over LaFlamme's dismissal, and "toxic work culture that had developed at CTV prior to La Flamme’s departure. On December 19, 2022, the independent review concluded with Melling being reassigned away from CTV's news division, citing a need for civility, respect, and better working conditions in the newsroom.

On August 25, 2022 the Canadian branch of Wendy's restaurants changed the hair of their girl mascot from red to gray in support of LaFlamme. Dove Canada did not mention LaFlamme explicitly but also urged its followers to turn their pictures to grayscale in support of graying women, and announced a $100,000 donation to Catalyst, an organization for inclusive workplaces. The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Twitter account retweeted the cover of its Maye Musk issue, who also had gray hair, and mentioned its support for the Dove campaign.