Canada’s most watched news anchor is out of a job. Lisa LaFlamme, the chief news anchor at Canadian broadcaster CTV, announced that the station’s parent company, Bell Media, made a “business decision” to terminate her contract.
“On June 29, I was informed that (CTV parent) Bell Media made a ‘business decision’ to end my contract, bringing to a sudden close my long career with CTV News,” LaFlamme said in a video uploaded to Twitter on Monday. “I was blindsided and I’m still shocked by Bell Media’s decision.”
Since 2011, LaFlamme has anchored the country’s top-rated newscast CTV National News. She took over the role from Lloyd Robertson, who retired from CTV National News following 35 years in the anchor chair.
“Recognizing changing viewer habits, CTV recently advised LaFlamme that it had made the business decision to move its acclaimed news show, CTV National News, and the role of its chief news anchor in a different direction,” the CTV parent said in a statement, per THR.
Furthermore, Bell Media announced that they’re replacing LaFlamme with Omar Sachedina, who joined CTV in 2009 and is currently the network’s national affairs correspondent.
“I am honored to follow exemplary journalists, such as Lisa LaFlamme and Lloyd Robertson, who have had the privilege of anchoring this newscast and established it as a go-to source for current events,” Sachedina said.
“And I am excited to work with our outstanding and dedicated team in this new capacity.”