Lisa LaFlamme
Lisa LaFlamme is a renowned Canadian television journalist who served as the chief anchor and senior editor of CTV National News for over a decade. She became the first woman to permanently anchor the national nightly newscast when she succeeded Lloyd Robertson in 2011, a role that cemented her as a trusted figure in Canadian broadcasting. Her abrupt dismissal from CTV in 2022 sparked a significant public debate about sexism, ageism, and workplace culture. LaFlamme's distinguished career, marked by extensive international reporting and numerous honours, continues through special correspondent roles, advocacy, and public speaking.
Early Life and Education
Lisa LaFlamme was born on July 25, 1964, in Kitchener, Ontario, the third of four daughters. Her father, David, was a Franco-Ontarian building contractor, and her mother, Kathleen, was a British immigrant. She completed her secondary education at St. Mary's High School in her hometown. After graduating, LaFlamme spent two years working as an au pair in France to improve her fluency in the French language. Upon returning to Canada, she enrolled at the University of Ottawa, where she earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications in 1988. Her first media role was a summer job as a newsroom fill-in at Kitchener's CKCO-TV and its affiliated radio stations, where she wrote copy and assisted with scripts.
Career Beginnings and Rise at CTV
LaFlamme's professional journalism career began in earnest in 1989 when she accepted a permanent part-time reporting position at CKCO, impressed the news director with her work ethic. Her big break came in 1997 when she was selected to join the launch team for CTV's new 24-hour news channel, CTV Newsnet, now CTV News Channel. She quickly advanced, becoming the channel's prime-time anchor by 1998. LaFlamme's career trajectory at CTV continued upward with a series of significant promotions. She served as a parliamentary correspondent in Ottawa from 2000 to 2001, providing coverage from the nation's capital. In September 2001, she was named co-host of the network's flagship morning program, Canada AM. Her tenure on the show began dramatically, as her second day on the job was September 11, 2001, immediately pulling her into coverage of the terrorist attacks in the United States.
LaFlamme's career includes the following key roles and assignments prior to becoming national anchor:
- 1988 to 1989: Copy writer and script assistant at CKCO in Kitchener.
- 1989 to 1999: Radio news reporter for CFCA.
- 1991 to 1997: Reporter and anchor for CKCO television.
- 1997 to 1998: Weekend anchor and reporter for CTV Newsnet, and consumer reporter for CTV News.
- 1998 to 2000: Prime News anchor for CTV Newsnet.
- 2000 to 2001: Parliamentary correspondent for CTV News.
- 2001 to 2003: Co-host of Canada AM.
- 2003 to 2011: National affairs correspondent and backup anchor for CTV National News with Lloyd Robertson.
Tenure as CTV National News Anchor
Lisa LaFlamme was officially appointed the full-time anchor of CTV National News in 2010, succeeding Lloyd Robertson who retired in September 2011. She thereby became the first woman to permanently anchor a Canadian national nightly newscast, taking on the titles of chief anchor and senior editor. For nearly 12 years, she led the country's top-rated newscast, becoming a familiar and trusted presence in Canadian households. Her tenure was defined by authoritative coverage of major events and in-depth interviews with newsmakers from across the globe. LaFlamme reported from conflict zones including Iraq and Afghanistan, and from disaster areas in the wake of events like the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. She covered every Canadian federal election since 1997 and every Olympic Games from 2006 onward, including the Summer Olympics in Beijing and London.
LaFlamme's reporting also encompassed major royal events, such as the Diamond and Platinum Jubilees of Queen Elizabeth II and the weddings of Prince William and Prince Harry. She conducted interviews with every living Canadian prime minister of her era, including Paul Martin, Jean Chrétien, Stephen Harper, and Justin Trudeau, as well as international figures like Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, and Benjamin Netanyahu. Her work earned critical acclaim and numerous awards, solidifying her reputation as a leading figure in Canadian broadcast journalism. The table below outlines some of the major global events she covered during her career as a correspondent and anchor.
| Event | Year | Role/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| September 11 Attacks & Aftermath | 2001 | Reported from New York, the UN, the Pentagon, Iraq, and Afghanistan. |
| War in Afghanistan | 2001 to 2014 | Extensive on-the-ground coverage of Canada's military mission. |
| Death of Pope John Paul II | 2005 | Reported from Vatican City. |
| Hurricane Katrina | 2005 | Disaster coverage from the southern United States. |
| Arab Spring in Cairo | 2011 | Covered the political uprising in Egypt. |
| Election of Pope Francis | 2013 | Reported on the papal conclave. |
| Paris Terror Attacks | 2015 | Covered the aftermath of the coordinated attacks. |
| Death of Fidel Castro | 2016 | Reported on the legacy of the Cuban leader. |
| Invictus Games Toronto | 2017 | Interviewed Prince Harry during the event. |
| Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II | 2022 | One of her final major assignments for CTV. |
Dismissal from CTV and Public Reaction
In June 2022, LaFlamme was informed that her contract with Bell Media, CTV's parent company, would not be renewed and that she would be replaced by Omar Sachedina. On August 15, 2022, she announced her departure in a video posted to social media, stating she had been "blindsided" by the decision. Internal reports suggested the dismissal was initiated by Bell Media Vice President Michael Melling, reportedly following a disagreement over budget for covering the war in Ukraine, and was approved by senior executives. The announcement ignited immediate and widespread controversy, with accusations of ageism and sexism fuelled by reports that Melling had questioned who had approved letting LaFlamme's hair go grey. Public figures and commentators, including journalists Carol Off and Melissa Fung, criticized the move as indicative of a double standard for women in broadcasting.
The public and corporate response was significant. The Canadian branch of Wendy's changed its mascot's hair to grey in solidarity, while Dove Canada launched a campaign supporting women with grey hair and donated $100,000 to an inclusivity organization. Within CTV, journalists wrote a letter to Bell's executives expressing a lack of confidence in Melling's leadership and concerns over a toxic work culture. Bell Media announced an independent workplace review, and in August 2022, Melling was placed on leave. The review concluded in December 2022, resulting in Melling being reassigned away from the news division. The incident became a national conversation about workplace treatment, sexism, and changes in the broadcasting industry, with Bell CEO Mirko Bibic citing a need to adapt to declining traditional broadcast viewership.
Post-CTV Work and Advocacy
Following her departure from CTV, LaFlamme quickly resumed her journalism career. In September 2022, Rogers Media hired her as a special correspondent for CityNews to cover the death and state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, reporting from London. She returned to a similar role in May 2023 to cover the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Beyond these special assignments, LaFlamme has focused on advocacy and new projects. In 2025, she launched the podcast 'Carry the Fire,' sponsored by the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, featuring interviews with cancer patients and survivors. In the summer of 2024, she headlined Estée Lauder Canada's 'Because of My Age' campaign alongside other prominent women like Tamsen Fadal and Gina Torres. She remains a vocal advocate for journalism and democracy, expressing concern in 2026 about the state of the industry, job losses, and the spread of misinformation.
LaFlamme's volunteer and advocacy work has been a consistent thread throughout her career. She is a dedicated supporter of Journalists for Human Rights, having travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo to mentor young journalists in conflict zones and serving as honorary co-chair of the organization's annual Night for Rights. She is also an ambassador for Plan International, promoting children's rights, and volunteers with Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, focusing on education for Afghan women and girls. These efforts were formally recognized in 2019 when her appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada cited both her journalistic contributions and her promotion of human rights.
Awards and Honours
Lisa LaFlamme's journalistic excellence has been recognized with some of Canada's highest civilian and professional honours. She is a twelve-time Canadian Screen Award winner, including multiple awards for Best National News Anchor and Best National Newscast. In 2023, she received the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television's Gordon Sinclair Award for lifetime achievement in broadcast journalism. She has also received consecutive awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association throughout her career. In 2016, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Ontario. Three years later, in 2019, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada for her contributions to journalism and her support for human rights. LaFlamme's influence was also acknowledged when she was named one of the '50 Most Influential Torontonians' by Toronto Life in 2022.
Canadian universities have conferred multiple honorary doctorates upon LaFlamme in recognition of her career and public service. These degrees represent a wide geographic and institutional recognition of her impact.
- 2006: Doctor of Laws, Wilfrid Laurier University.
- 2014: Doctorate, University of Ottawa.
- 2018: Doctor of Laws, University of Windsor.
- 2023: Doctorate, Toronto Metropolitan University.
- 2026: Doctor of Letters, Mount Saint Vincent University.
- 2026: Doctorate, Nipissing University.
Questions about Lisa LaFlamme
Why was Lisa LaFlamme fired from CTV?
Bell Media, CTV's parent company, stated her dismissal was a "business decision" to take the programme in a "different direction," citing changing viewer habits and the need for a new, integrated news strategy across platforms. LaFlamme said she was "blindsided" by the decision. Internal reports indicated the decision involved a budget disagreement over covering the Ukraine conflict and that her legacy contract was seen as costly. A subsequent independent workplace review cited a need for better working conditions, and the executive involved was reassigned. Public debate included accusations of ageism and sexism, highlighted by comments about her grey hair.
What is Lisa LaFlamme doing now after leaving CTV?
Since her departure from CTV, Lisa LaFlamme has worked as a special correspondent for CityNews, covering the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and the coronation of King Charles III in 2023. In 2025, she launched a podcast called 'Carry the Fire' for the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. She has also been involved in advocacy campaigns, headlining Estée Lauder Canada's 'Because of My Age' campaign in 2024. She remains active in public speaking, receiving honorary doctorates, and voicing her concerns about the state of journalism.
What awards has Lisa LaFlamme won?
Lisa LaFlamme has won twelve Canadian Screen Awards, including for Best National News Anchor and Best National Newscast. She received the Gordon Sinclair Award for lifetime achievement in journalism in 2023. She is also an Officer of the Order of Canada, appointed in 2019, and a Member of the Order of Ontario, appointed in 2016. Her other recognitions include multiple RTDNA awards and honorary doctorates from six Canadian universities, including the University of Ottawa and Wilfrid Laurier University.
What volunteer work is Lisa LaFlamme known for?
Lisa LaFlamme is a passionate volunteer for several humanitarian organizations. She works with Journalists for Human Rights, having travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo to mentor young journalists. She is an ambassador for Plan International, advocating for children's rights, and volunteers with Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, focusing on educational opportunities for Afghan women and girls. Her volunteer efforts were specifically cited in her appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Where did Lisa LaFlamme go to university?
Lisa LaFlamme graduated in 1988 with an honours degree in communications from the University of Ottawa. She had previously attended St. Mary's High School in Kitchener and worked in France as an au pair to improve her French before university. Her academic achievements were later recognized by her alma mater, as the University of Ottawa awarded her an honorary doctorate in 2014. She has received several other honorary doctorates from institutions including Wilfrid Laurier University in 2006, the University of Windsor in 2018, Toronto Metropolitan University in 2023, and both Mount Saint Vincent University and Nipissing University in 2026.
Who did Lisa LaFlamme replace as CTV National News anchor?
Lisa LaFlamme replaced Lloyd Robertson as the chief anchor and senior editor of CTV National News. Robertson retired in September 2011 after a long and distinguished career with the network. LaFlamme had been preparing for this role for years, having served as the national affairs correspondent and back-up anchor for CTV National News since 2003. Her promotion to sole anchor on September 5, 2011, made her the first woman to permanently anchor the national newscast. She held this prominent position for over a decade until her contract was ended by Bell Media in August 2022.
Sources and further reading
- Lisa LaFlamme (Wikipedia)
- Lisa LaFlamme | l'Encyclopédie Canadienne (thecanadianencyclopedia.ca)
- Lisa LaFlamme | The Art Of (theartof.com)
- Lisa LaFlamme | The Samara Centre for Democracy (samaracentre.ca)
- Former CTV National anchor Lisa LaFlamme speaks out ... (baytoday.ca)
Checked by the Novello Desserts desk. Last updated 2026-10-26.
