Veteran TV Anchor Was Fired After 25 Years of Service Allegedly Because She Let Her Hair Go Gray

Apr 11, 2023

Even though it has long been preached that it’s what is on the inside that counts, people often still care about what others look like. It’s been ingrained into women’s heads from a young age that they need to keep up their appearance to remain young and attractive to others.

Beauty standards exist in the world — whether we choose to follow them or not. They can be related to body shape and size or other physical attributes, but more often than not, they perpetuate harmful expectations for people the world over.

When we challenge beauty standards, we're helping to create a more open and accepting world. But nevertheless, it's not always easy to go against the norm and stand up for something you believe in. 

In the case of TV news anchor Lisa LaFlamme, her gray hair was the subject of a huge controversy in Canada, where she was abruptly fired from her job for undisclosed reasons. 

LaFlamme is a decorated anchor and journalist from Canada, a media personality who has inspired a lot of young women to stand out in their respective fields. That is why when she was fired from her position, Canadians were upset and confused as to what led the management to arrive at such a shocking decision. 

In a “sign off” video posted on her Twitter account in August 2022, LaFlamme revealed that she was “blindsided” by the way she was terminated from her post.

On March 2023, CBC Correspondent Adrienne Arsenault sat down with LaFlamme to expound on the rather controversial move by media giant Bell Media.

It has been speculated that LaFlamme was fired because of her decision to let her hair naturally go gray — a move she, along with other women in the world found liberating. Read on to learn more about what transpired.

LaFlamme is a respectable and perhaps one of the most decorated Canadian television journalists and was the former chief anchor of CTV National News, the flagship newscast of CTV News, the most popular news program in Canada.

In 2011, LaFlamme replaced 77-year-old Lloyd Robertson in the role of the chief anchor after serving the international affairs unit as a substitute anchor. 

Joining the news organization in 2003 as a foreign correspondent, LaFlamme has covered plenty of consequential events and international affairs for Canada. She covered the 9/11 attack, the Iraq and Afghan War, Hurricane Katrina, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the death of Pope John Paul, Pope Francis’ subsequent election, the late Queen Elizabeth’s diamond and platinum jubilee, as well as the royal weddings of both Prince William and Prince Harry. 

LaFlamme has been the recipient of a Canadian Screen Award as Best News Anchor and even the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television's Gordon Sinclair Award for lifetime achievement in journalism, among many others. 

That is why it was a shock for both LaFlamme and the Canadian people when she was informed by Bell Media, the parent company of CTV News, that she had been dismissed from her post. 

In a two-minute video posted on her Twitter account, LaFlamme revealed the reason for her exit. 

“On June 29th, I was informed that Bell Media made a 'business decision' to end my contract, bringing to a sudden close my long career with CTV News. I was blindsided, and I am still shocked, and saddened by Bell Media’s decision,” she said. “At 58, I still thought I had a lot more time to tell more of the stories that impact our daily lives, instead I leave CTV humbled by the people who put their faith in me to tell their story.”

Since LaFlamme’s exit, speculations as to what “blindsided” her came about. A report from The Globe and Mail revealed that Michael Melling, the news head at the time, raised questions on who approved the decision to “let Lisa’s hair go grey.” Melling also delivered the news to LaFlamme that she would be terminated. 

Shortly after her exit, Canadians and people on the internet, as well as businesses turned to support LaFlamme amid the shocking news. A popular food chain even changed its mascot and logo’s hair from red to gray in solidarity with LaFlamme. Melling has since been fired from his post. 

The outlet also reported that there were tensions between Melling and LaFlamme prior to the shocking ouster. LaFlamme has since explained that ever since the pandemic happened, she had shied away from dyeing her hair back, a move that women around the world have lauded. 

In a March 2023 interview with CBC News correspondent Arsenault, she was asked to confirm whether the real reason for her ouster was because of her gray hair, and while holding back, she did not confirm or deny anything. 

"It was a business decision, and that's what I know,” she said. “Legally, there's only so much I can say." 

Aside from being bounded by legalities, LaFlamme pointed out that another reason why she does not want to talk about the issue anymore is that she wants to focus on her career moving forward. 

Since her termination, LaFlamme gained the sympathy of her supporters and colleagues, which initially caused fury and speculation of sexism and ageism among top executives in her previous workplace. 

Meanwhile, Bell Media CEO Mirko Bibic clarified that it was not LaFlamme’s age, gender or hair that was the reason but the growing changes in traditional media instead. 

Do you think women should be forced to color their hair because of beauty standards? What can you say about Lisa LaFlamme’s decision to stay true to herself? Do you think she was fired because of her gray hair? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends and others who you think should know about this.