FOLLOW UP: Head of CTV News who fired Lisa LaFlamme placed on leave, network in crisis

After two weeks of intense backlash since CTV cut ties with national anchor, Lisa LaFlamme, the man accused of executing the firing is now at risk of losing his own job. Head of CTV News, Michael Melling, has been put on a leave of absence effective immediately, pending the outcome of the workplace review that is proceeding, according to Bell Canada CEO, Mirko Bibic. The news comes as The Globe and Mail is reporting that Bell Media has actually undergone several workplace reviews in recent years, including one under Melling’s watch while General Manager of CP24 & CTV Toronto. BG breaks down all the details for you.
PART 1: • Why did CTV cut Lisa L...
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[@001sander2]

this is great to hear. Because for Lisa Laflamme situation we see, there are countless others we don't see.

[@AFelix-bk4ib]

I got LaFlammed. So did my friend. It is happened all over.

[@MrJohnthefarmer]

@Spanna Banna No not like that at all

[@CelesteKTheNewWaveRevue]

@Spanna Banna She didn't leave. She was forced out.

[@aledwards6119]

If Melling is not removed from CTV News, sponsors, fewers and other media companies will abandon them. Lisa deserves to be reinstated and given a raise and a contract that befits her dedication.

[@brustar5152]

Yeah but anybody thinking he did this without BCE Inc driving that bus is going to watch as he gets thrown under the same bus. The honchos on the board would almost certainly, either gave Melling his orders to fire Lisa or they signed off on it as a good idea.

[@Lisa_LaCroix]

@@brustar5152 That might be true but he was certainly involved and the more it becomes clear that you can't take a public discriminatory action without repercussion the more people will think carefully about their actions at all levels. It used to be that men in power believed they could do anything without repercussion. Thankfully this is changing.

[@dwanaatkins5916]

Lisa should never have been let go. She is the reason I watch CTV .

[@jules-pierremalartre7800]

I'm even more appaled by the bad PR response than I was about the firing of Lisa Laflamme. They responded that the firing was in response to a changing market, etc. etc., but it's not like their show went through dramatic changes, new format - they just replaced her with a younger man. PR like that is disgusting. Changing market? Yeah, indeed. I'm taking my internet and cell service to another provider who has newer technology, better coverage and more reliable equipment. Lisa Laflamme's grey hair looks phenomenal and she is still a top broadcast journalist. Those guys fucked up real bad.

[@carolfernicola-deeb8621]

My parents watched CTV news every night, without fail. I subsequently used CTV news as my primary news feed. Due to the appalling treatment and firing of Lisa; I no longer will due so. Ever. Shame on the management that allowed this to happen. Carol F. Deeb

[@morningglorify]

So glad I discovered you Brandon. Always appreciate your reports.

[@eugeneterechenko5066]

Yes, more and more people will stop watching TV broadcasts, because TV broadcasts are following "policies" not real news.

[@noraheffernan4537]

I hope everyone at CTV gets axed Omar & the whole crew that work for this corrupt news station You all sold your soul for money 💰🤑 Shameful Karma is a bitch

[@intuitivelight2087]

After what happened in February convoy, i don't really value their news. Their narrative so wrong about the trucker.

[@Rock_Girl_Daze]

I quit years ago.

[@andy8073]

I disagree. I feel that all the major networks in Canada have a policy of fair, comprehensive, and unbiased reporting. Please provide an example of what you feel it is not real news.

[@danvetor1365]

andy8073 It wouldn't do any good pointing anything out. You are living with blinders on. Hundreds of news reports have been proven lies. Everyone is filming everything now days. News channels report many stories that are different frrom actual citizens videos.

[@janephilip9701]

I face these tragic problems daily in my workplace. Yes in municipal government workplace. Yes, It's happening. No one wants to acknowledged this fact. Lisa's story should sound that alarm bell for "those of us without a voice " I was terminated....the manager now holds a mighty position in the organization. His wrongdoings are beyond words...

[@Cafeallday222]

Yep, wish the rest of us had people rallying behind us. Lisa is actually very lucky to have this response. 99.999999% don't get it.

[@deuceman32]

Melling was right about one thing. Viewer habits ARE changing. I no longer watch CTV, ever.

[@coleenconnors3480]

Lisa LaFlamme is the reason people watched CTV. I hope she is feeling the love of the world! , and so very glad she shared!!!!!

[@jeannienickel7]

Management is SO out of touch with what Canadians want. It’s workplace culture overall staff needs an overhaul.

[@hippy1002]

Cu they care what THEY want. We mean nothing to them.. Is this being overhyped???Just asking

[@CelesteKTheNewWaveRevue]

@@hippy1002 No it's not. Lisa was in the national news room for 35 years, 12 of those years were after Lloyd Roberson retired in 2011. He got a really big send off. Anwar Knight and Tom Brown were in the CTV Toronto news after Dave Devall retired in 2009 and they were forced out 12 years later. I don't really like Michelle Jobin and Jessica who don't even take a breathe when they talk.

[@arthyland]

The main reason that I would watch CTV News was because of Lisa LaFlamme , I will no longer watch anymore CTV News since the number 1 anchor / journalist was blindsided by this Melling chap.

[@noraheffernan4537]

What a joke!! Lisa L is just as corrupt as CTV broadcasting fake news 🙄 Shameful!!🤑

[@lilyk5330]

I haven't watched a single thing on CTV since watching Lisa's video announcement, and I was a CTV and CTV NewsChannel junkie.

[@Pixlanta]

Melling was likely put on leave in my opinion. Brandon ,you’re a very good reporter, extremely thorough and honest. Well done

[@C2G2]

Agreed with everything your saying especially Brandon's reporting very good honest and straight to the point reporting.

[@annettewray4732]

This is happening in a lot of companies! A lot of companies do not respect older employees for their knowledgeable & wisdom & then blame Covid for letting employees go. And they have to sign restrictive NDA!

[@insidedesign1000]

I love an articulate host that just lays down the facts, that many of us didn't know. Well done. I'm a new subscriber.

[@anaalvez5950]

Brandon your reports are outstanding Thank you!

[@Butterfly-zs2pc]

Awesome, nice job on connecting all the dots on the Lisa LaFlamme Firing! 👍👍👍

[@bettyreynolds8225]

I began searching for news on Lisa LeFlam and discovered you. Awesome work Brandon!!!

[@Lisa_LaCroix]

Same

[@claudenormandeau9211]

Impressive young man. Thank you for this update. It is so hard to trust any of these large news operations today

[@loisnoble9139]

Brandon I just found your channel and subscribed immediately. You were so articulate in delivering the news. Keep up the good work. There are numerous male TV anchors all over the world who are going gray. No one even mentions it but a woman who decides to go gray is fired. All the sponsors should dump this network as callously as she was treated. Thirty five years of service and let go because she wanted to be her authentic self. Plastic is lauded all over the globe more than natural beauty.

[@mzmosea]

Our Society constantly demonstrates a constant dis-respect for the Elder voice. The Elder Voice can bring experience, timed observations, and pitfall avoidance's....Let's Celebrate the Silvers that are on Point...and not tarnish them.

[@Lisa_LaCroix]

100%. The important thing is for us to stand together on this and make it clear that we'll put our support, our voices, our time and our money behind the brands that are progressive and that represent us.

[@mzmosea]

@@Lisa_LaCroix maybe...even take it a step further, and only put our time, energy and money in support of TRUTH

[@mzmosea]

@@1seriousgearheadify barely watch it Bby:)

[@pilotleader]

Great reporting! Despite the Canadian Federal Government throwing Billions of dollars at Canada’s media, they are dying a slow death due to their lack of investigative reporting and bias. Lisa, like her predecessor, Lloyd delivered the news with class, developing trust.

[@ditzygypsy]

Lloyd.

[@pilotleader]

@@ditzygypsy (typo - Thanks!)

[@isabellind1292]

CBC employees are in the top 10% of Canadian wage earners. The network subsidized to the tune of BILLIONS of Canadian tax dollars who use their platform to put their own spin on the news.

[@Lisa_LaCroix]

Great job, Brandon! Great reporting! I'm following you now. I'm a content creator on Tiktok and more recently on KZbin who focuses on changing the narrative on aging for women in their 40's, 50's, and 60's and while I'm distressed about Lisa LaFlamme's contract cancellation and the disregard it shows for women, especially in light of the obvious double--standards, in some ways the attention helps us send the clear message that we're done with accepting blatant acts of agism without comment. Many of us who are Lisa's Silver Sisters have assumed that things are changing and sometimes it's important to have a wake-up call like this one to remind us that we can't be complacent.

[@louislucky7440]

Cottage cheese killed the Diva!🤣😂🤣

[@susantunbridge4612]

What about women in their 70s and 80s, 90s, 100s? You have seen Jane Fonda, right? It's spelled "ageism", with an "e". Silver Sisters sounds ever so patronizing.

[@louislucky7440]

@@susantunbridge4612 dried up dusty caves !🧙‍♀️🦇🤮...desirable🤪🥖👙 stops about 28 yrs. for broads!

[@strikezonefishingadventures]

Melling is taking leave for a month or two until the furor dies down, and then he will quietly return to work. It's all a giant corporate white-wash. The common denominator of all of these issues is Michael Melling. Bottom line is that corporate management whine and complain about employee loyalty. When you have a management that have zero people skills, and you treat your employees like numbers (and like crap), guess what? Employees respond to how they are treated. This all started when Michael Melling asked who approved Lisa to change her hair colour to gray? Pardon? Who gave Lisa permission? Who gave Michael the authority to tell anyone what colour their hair should be. And newsflash... even Lloyd Robertson (who Lisa replaced back in 2011) has come out and has very publicly said that the way Lisa was treated after 35 years with CTV, and the numerous awards and accolades she brought to the company was/is totally unacceptable. So Bell Media has some work to do to dig themselves out of the quicksand pit that they have dropped themselves into, and it is having a major negative impact on CTV and CP24 viewership. They likely thought this would all blow over in a week or two, and all would be forgotten. I guess Bell Media has been given a major reality check!!!!! Instead of reporting the news, they are the news, and not good news at that.

[@Lisa_LaCroix]

Yes yes yes. Well said. I think you're right that they thought it would blow over and that Melling (and whoever backed him behind the scenes) figured he/they had enough power to do whatever they wanted without repercussion. Well, one of the great things about social media and the massive access we have to information is the transparency it requires. No longer can people get away with doing whatever they want without being called to task about it. Al of your points are right on.

[@sizzurpr7608]

Marko and Wade are part of this toxicity

[@coralcempel5105]

I totally agree..but what is so special about this Melling character???..Is he part owner or what..among millions of people that can do a better job..why do they allow this toxic human to manage??

[@juliejohnston3431]

They don't give a shit. That's the illusion of fake news.

[@dawnemile4974]

Unfortunately there are people like Michael Melling in many organizations and the executives believe that it is good policy to have an axeman whatever his behaviour. I hope this sends a shiver through the ranks of the psychopaths who believe that they can bully their employees.

[@CelesteKTheNewWaveRevue]

The exact same thing happened to Anwar Knight and Tom Brown at CTV Toronto's weather department. They were replaced by a couple of air headed girls who don't even take a breath while they're talking. I don't like that the girls that were hired because they don't even do as good a job at reporting the weather as Anwar and Tom did. 🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@zuzanasmidova3778]

I had been very saddened when Anwar was fired; I miss him till these days...and it is many months ago when it happened. Shame on that person who made THAT bad decision!

[@CelesteKTheNewWaveRevue]

@@zuzanasmidova3778 I loved how Anwar shared his journey battling cancer.

[@lilyk5330]

... And let's not forget what happened to Canada AM!

[@CelesteKTheNewWaveRevue]

@@lilyk5330 Yeah, hopefully Melling will be on his way out and Lisa will be back in.

[@lilyk5330]

I really enjoyed Anwar and his location pieces very much, and Tom Brown absolutely MADE Toy Mountain!

[@cathy8070]

Lisa LaFlamme’s firing was the ugliest I’ve seen for a much beloved anchor. I hope she gets her job back ❤️

[@the14u36]

The CEO has to go too

[@thomashong2938]

The CEO of BCE Mirko Bibic has to go down for this. None of this hot mess would have happened without his approval. Ma Bell scored an own goal on itself at a time when Rogers was in the doghouse for the nationwide service interruption that they suffered.

[@wendyrimmer57]

Mr. Melting has a huge chip on his shoulder,Lisa Laflamme was a bruise to his ego!

[@YYC403NOYP]

" Placed on leave" = DAMAGE CONTROL = OUT of SIGHT, OUT of MIND.

[@camelliam.4235]

This is disturbing on two levels; first their treatment of the employees but also I wonder what kind of 'News' we are getting. Probably filtered and revised by the management.

[@chrisgraham2904]

"Has decided to leave from his current role effective immediately to spend time with his family." Isn't this the standard boiler plate statement that is typically issued by every disgraced politician when they are caught with their hand in the cookie jar, or down someone else's pants?

[@Nighthawk-8050]

Give Lisa Laflamme her job back, offer a heartfelt public apology, and fire that jerk of a general manager.

[@kc8341-]

I do hope that Michael Melling does get fired, he would deserve it, I hope that he realizes that is was an idiotic decision to fire Lisa. Is he really that stupid that he did not think there would be no backlash for that decision? Hopefully he will learn from this, but chances are he won't. There will always be consequences for the bad choices that are made.

[@sizzurpr7608]

Melling's ego & toxicity trumped all rationale

[@judyderi2614]

I have wondered to where you have disappeared. Used to watch you early in the morning on CP24. Happy to find you here on Utube. Managed to finally get hooked to WiFi and acquire an ipad because of Covid isolation. Keep your good work.

[@bigsid3011]

We were angry when Anwar Knight was cut from the noon news and now this. Our home has switched from CTV. I had been watching CTV since Dave Devall wrote backwards on a glass map

[@brustar5152]

I remember well that man's ability to write backwards with both hands at the same time.

[@WIDFRANKE]

Bring back Lisa

[@wilnerolivier7971]

She not getting her job back!! Get over it.

[@darlenepickford2727]

Just cancelled my Bell TV. They asked why I was cancelling - told them because of Lisa LaFlamme.

[@craigs6197]

Thank you Brandon for putting a spotlight early on this issue.

[@spartuz71]

CTV needs to reinstate Lisa LaFlamme right now and issue a public apology to her and Canada!!!

[@lilyk5330]

What CTV and Bell Media need to realize is that it shouldn't and needn't be ALL one way or the other. The population of Canada has a larger proportion of older people than younger people. BOTH populations need to be served. Those of us who are older, DID, and DO sit down at 11 pm to watch their favourite and trusted news anchor report on what's going on in this world. For so many of us, that was Lisa LaFlamme, a journalist (NOT just a newsreader) who paid her dues over the years. That has left us all, as well as Lisa, feeling completely disrespected and marginalized. Bell Media needs to fix this, and do better.

[@wunderinwyndfeatherakaskje8872]

Good News! Thankyou to all who support Lisa Laflamme! 💃🏻👍🏽💕👏👏👏

[@Lisa_LaCroix]

Exactly. We have to speak up.

[@katherinehunter9526]

Hey Brandon thanks for the undate! I really appreciate getting the straight story! Okay one film and documentary maker suggestion to another, news maker. If you are shooting the segment near a river, waterfall or indoor water feature, you need to do establishing shots or cut away to the water. Because it is audible and it becomes part of the show, but an irritating noise and distraction if you never cut away to the sound of water or whatever the other sounds are on your final cut. Looking forward to more of the information you are sharing with us! Keep up the good work!

[@maryjanegibson7743]

CTV has every reason to be ashamed. Lisa LaFlamme should never have been fired. I'll start watching CTV News again when she returns, and only then. This woman with greying hair is voting with her wallet.

[@tracycristopher1669]

Happy to see the mainstream media crumbling 😃

[@roomofcybertron6380]

Mr. Meiling should go behind bars for his sins of terminating Lisa Laflamme.

[@BLE000]

Extremely short sighted on their part. In light of this, I now refuse to watch CTV News or their network.

[@gudrunbayer5142]

I’m happy to have found you, very concise and informative, keep up the good work

[@md2plus2]

They will not be able to recover unless they change things from the very top. For example they replaced him with a person that has also contributed to the problem.

[@Lisa_LaCroix]

That's the thing about systemic issues. They have to be changed from the top. The noisier we are the better.

[@jenniferbeaton4262]

Thank you for true journalism! Facts, proof and no agenda. I am following you with appreciation for your reporting and your "non-legacy" news style. Bravo. Well-done. Great timing.

[@MaidensWorldOfWax]

Mirko Bibic needs to be fired too. Anyone who's kept the Social on the air should be fired as well.

[@jts-x5k]

Well done!

[@isabellind1292]

This commentator should have a bigger platform. He's very good at what he does. Very impressive young man.

[@veteq101]

I used to watch Lisa Laflamme several times a week, I have not watched it once since Lisa was let go. I am back to GlobalTV.

[@dinapawlow1622]

Excellent reporting,very thorough. Thanks for your time and efforts to inform. I stand with Lisa, she must be reinstated or I will continue to boycott.

[@frederickg.unsworth7883]

Haven't watched CTV or any Bell affiliate since her dismissal.Bring Ms. Laflamme back.Thank Ted Turner for CNN.

[@cayrick]

Melling needs to put common sense and corporate objectives ahead of ego. I don't think you will be hearing a lot about him going forward. Lisa's farewell video was tasteful and reflected her professionalism and class.

[@aelaan12]

We all agree that Michael Melling is taking the fall for an environment that allows this toxicity. If he was not the executioner of the guidelines of upper management he would have been cut much sooner. Is the Bell Let's Talk Day actually genuine? This is what I am questioning.

[@MillionaireMarlon]

Bell let's talk is an ad campaign, nothing to do with mental health

[@trilllg]

Geeeez…Brandon is officially that dude…glad you followed your heart and left the system to run your own ting ..now you can speak on the issues no holds bars!!! keeep it up bro. - Garlan

[@agirlnherkomputr]

Fire him and give Lisa LaFlamme her job back and a promotion and a raise!

[@danmeehan1390]

The real problem is that people still watch MSM.

[@rogerknox9147]

No it isn't.

[@players7686]

Ooohh yesss it isss!

[@winkieblink7625]

Good! What he did was discriminatory plus professionally disgraceful.

[@NeishaNineStarz]

I’m glad that is being highlighted there is a significant amount of ageism in many workplaces.

[@joannefairhead2403]

I have quit watching ctv news as they no longer cover real news, it felt like just another propaganda show under the guise of real news. It became very slanted to one political party.

[@danielcarter491]

CEO is apparently wasting no time in trying to save his own hide. This is big enough to put him at risk as well - and well it should.

[@foridor]

I miss Lisa Laflamme and have stopped watching CTV news since she was replaced. Disgraceful conduct on the part of CTV , letting such a valuable employee go. She is a beautiful classy woman, whatever her hair color!!

[@chrisangus463]

Michael Melling is just a conduit between the board and public this was certainly a board decision.

[@bradbrownlee8489]

If the Board had influence on this, then CTV has a huge governance problem.

[@peterleupen9973]

Lisa Laflamme, universally loved. Michael Melling, universally loathed

[@GolDreadLocks]

What hasn't been stated is that the decline is due to the poor content, young viewers are not likely to watch tv news, the older set do, and Lisa is their voice!

[@laurafedora5385]

She had the best ratings of all the top news anchors and won an award last year, but nice try

[@GolDreadLocks]

@@laurafedora5385 You seem to mis understand, I am not saying anything negative against her, I am saying that ctv in general has a ratings drop because of poor content etc" Lisa is one of the reasons to tune in, now with her gone there is no reason to!

[@hippy1002]

At 77, I am in the older set. I watch new highlights maybe once a month

[@christinahagerman280]

Well done. To minimize the important contribution that people like Lisa Laflamme bring to a society really speaks volumes of where value is placed by

[@victoriamichele7169]

Excellent reporting, Brandon🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟++

[@youngspapercreations]

Deep and insightful. I watched the whole thing 😇

[@eddiewilliams3570]

Thanks so much for following up. Keep doing what your doing we appreciate you very much.

[@mzmosea]

Everyone responsible for Lisa LaFlamme being let go....SHOULD BE LET GO!

[@vicp8772]

Add tredeau as well

[@cathyrivas6496]

I haven't watched the National since they fired Lisa and will never watch the news network ever again.

[@gaylerickard6896]

Awesome stuff Brandon. Just subscribed. Very neatly done reporting!

[@MrWEWE5]

Honestly, the fire started back in 2021 when more people were fired and stations were changing formats.

[@annstallman6915]

Please continue to do something about this injustice!

[@kdaniel8721]

Melling is an absolute coward.

[@TyroneBlackman7]

He needs to go and some others in BELL Media.

[@thomashong2938]

And some others at BCE. Bell Media and CTV wouldn’t have axed LL if BCE hadn’t gone along with the decision.

[@janinaleedelrio]

Great reporting!

[@LaiMachine]

MOST trusted news source in TORONTO

[@allencarlson6128]

Well thought out and researched.

[@missjrich2198]

Independent news is the best. They tell the real story with accuracy and integrity.

[@juliet3827]

Thanks for this, Brandon. Keep up the good work.

[@deeliciousplum]

First and foremost, thank you again for covering this news story. I did not know that there was a petition. Thank you for the heads-up to the existence of the petition, too. Signed!

[@traceygervais9395]

Great reporting Brandon!!👏👏

[@greywolf0167]

TY Brandon you rock

[@AidaJof]

Brandon Gonez, thank you very much for a very insightful report

[@LAOM3423]

Your reporting is amazing! Thanks!

[@Matthew_P]

Thanks for this

[@michaelclaybourne7710]

Good Reporting, I'm a subscriber now

[@Aquamarine1111]

Excellent breakdown, Brandon.

[@sammcturk8898]

Good !!! I won't watch until they give back her job !!! She was the only reason I watched, I trusted her even though their News is so east coast heavy and I live on the West coast 🇨🇦. F CTV !!! If I could I would remove them from my cable packages !!! Unfortunately I can't, I asked.

[@alextoronto5840]

you still have cable lol. you must be at least over 45 years old.

[@sammcturk8898]

@@alextoronto5840 yes I am, do you have a problem with that or are you just trying to be an ass.

[@whathandleUtalkabt]

@@alextoronto5840 all the old people still pay monthly cable to watch ctv, cbc etc.🙄

[@penni2980]

@@alextoronto5840 And usually over 45's incomes are higher than those under 45 - companies that produce goods pay attention to what the over 45's buy - and therefore what they watch...so your point?

[@wilnerolivier7971]

She's not going to get her gig back because like it or not there's a new anchor in that seat who should at the very least be given a chance!! If that were to happen then now CTV has a racial problem on its hands because they would have to fire a person of color who they just hired to a high profile position just so they can placate to a white woman. It wouldn't be a good look.

[@Raymel2366]

Justice for LaFlamme.

[@Krista823]

Keep up the great work. Brandon.

[@catcadev]

Thank goodness.

[@robertskeates51]

Good ! Now let’s add cbc to this short list of networks most would love to see in fatal crisis !

[@rrain3375]

This has become a total circus. Lisa did not get let go because of grey hair. She was let go because CTV wanted to go in a different direction. And it is not as if Lisa is unable to find other employment. If she chooses not to work because she has grey hair. To bad, get over it.

[@chrisrussell63]

CTV needs to hire her back, at a higher salary.