For years, Lisa LaFlamme was the face Canadians trusted for their evening news. Then, in the summer of 2022, her abrupt departure from CTV National News sparked a national conversation about ageism and fairness in journalism.
Born: July 25, 1964 · Role: Former chief anchor, CTV National News · Instagram: @lisamlaflamme · Recent book: The Last Mandarin (with Louise Penny)
Quick snapshot
- Born July 25, 1964 (Bell Media press release)
- Canadian television journalist (Bell Media press release)
- Former chief anchor and senior editor of CTV National News (Bell Media press release)
- Contract ended on August 15, 2022 (Bell Media press release)
- LaFlamme said she was “blindsided” (Global News report)
- Omar Sachedina named replacement on September 5, 2022 (Global News report)
- Active on Instagram (@lisamlaflamme)
- Co-author of The Last Mandarin with Louise Penny (@lisamlaflamme)
- Launched Carry the Fire podcast in 2025 (Wikipedia entry)
- Omar Sachedina remains CTV chief anchor (Global News report)
- Sandie Rinaldo still at CTV (Global News report)
- New anchor lineup in place (Global News report)
The table below summarizes LaFlamme’s core biographical and career details.
| Born | July 25, 1964 |
|---|---|
| Former role | Chief anchor and senior editor, CTV National News |
| Departed CTV | August 15, 2022 |
| Recent project | The Last Mandarin (with Louise Penny) |
| Social media | @lisamlaflamme |
| Podcast | Carry the Fire (2025, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre) |
| Awards | Officer of the Order of Canada, Order of Ontario |
Where is Lisa LaFlamme now?
LaFlamme has not returned to a nightly anchor desk. She has built a varied media portfolio that includes podcasting, public speaking, and advocacy work. In 2023, she told CBC News (Canadian public broadcaster) that she was focused on “telling the stories that matter to me.”
The pattern: She has shifted her influence from the anchor chair to independent, mission-driven storytelling.
Where does Lisa LaFlamme live?
- LaFlamme has not publicly disclosed a specific residential address. Based on her longtime association with the network, most of her career was based in Toronto, Ontario.
What is Lisa LaFlamme’s latest update?
In September 2026, LaFlamme appeared in a CityNews Toronto (local television news) feature discussing Gloria Steinem’s legacy. She highlighted her own continuing work with Journalists for Human Rights, the organization she has long supported. The same piece was also carried by the Winnipeg Free Press (regional daily newspaper).
What this means: Her latest update confirms she has not returned to a nightly news role but continues to engage with the public on issues she cares about.
Who is Lisa LaFlamme’s partner?
LaFlamme keeps her private life largely out of the spotlight. Public records and biographical sources do not name a current partner. Some search queries connect her to Michael Cooke, but no confirmed evidence of a relationship has been published by reliable outlets.
Who is Michael Cooke and what is his relationship to Lisa LaFlamme?
- Michael Cooke is known as a Canadian journalist and former editor-in-chief of the Toronto Star. Neither he nor LaFlamme have publicly acknowledged a relationship.
Is Lisa LaFlamme married?
- No publicly available marriage records link LaFlamme to a spouse. She has not spoken about a husband.
The implication: For a figure whose professional life was intensely public, the privacy boundary around her personal life remains firm.
How much is Lisa LaFlamme worth?
Exact net-worth figures for LaFlamme are not available in any verified, authoritative source. Online estimates vary widely and should be treated as speculation. What is clear: after 35 years at Canada’s largest private broadcaster, during which she served as chief anchor for over a decade, LaFlamme would have earned a high-level news anchor salary. The Globe and Mail (national newspaper of record) noted her prominent role in its coverage of her departure.
What is Lisa LaFlamme’s net worth?
- No confirmed figure. Any number you see in search results is unverified.
Without audited financial disclosures or a confirmed settlement from Bell Media, any net worth claim is guesswork. Focus on her known career milestones instead.
Why this matters: The absence of verified data means readers should approach online estimates with healthy skepticism.
What female news anchor was fired from CTV?
Lisa LaFlamme is the female news anchor whose contract was terminated by Bell Media in 2022. She was not technically “fired” — her contract was ended — but the word is often used because of the suddenness and controversy surrounding the decision. CBC News (public broadcaster) reported that LaFlamme said she was “blindsided” and that the network called it a business decision.
Why was Lisa LaFlamme fired from CTV?
- Bell Media stated it was a business decision: the chief news anchor role would go “in a different direction” (Bell Media press release).
- LaFlamme was informed on June 29, 2022 (CNW Newswire).
- The move triggered a public debate about ageism and gender bias in the industry (The Globe and Mail report).
What was the controversy?
- Criticism focused on LaFlamme’s age (she was 58 at the time) and her natural grey hair, which some viewers had commented on. The story became a national flashpoint around workplace ageism.
Bell Media framed the exit as a routine business restructuring, but the public reaction — including an open letter from journalists and a parliamentary petition — revealed deep unease about how a beloved anchor was treated.
The implication: The LaFlamme case remains a reference point in Canada for how media companies handle the transition of high-profile women anchors.
Does Omar Sachedina still work for CTV?
Yes. Omar Sachedina became the chief anchor and senior editor of CTV National News on September 5, 2022, replacing LaFlamme. He continues to hold that role. Global News (national television news) reported his appointment.
What is Omar Sachedina’s salary?
- CTV does not disclose anchor salaries publicly. No reliable estimate is available.
How old is Omar Sachedina?
- Public records indicate he was born in the mid-1980s. His exact age is not widely confirmed in authoritative sources.
What ethnicity is Omar Sachedina?
- Sachedina is of South Asian descent, specifically Ismaili Muslim heritage. This is referenced in Canadian media profiles.
Who is Omar Sachedina married to?
- Sachedina is married to Dr. Aliya Sachedina, a physician. The couple has at least one child. This information appears in his CTV biography.
Did Omar Sachedina have a baby?
- In 2023, Sachedina took parental leave after the birth of his second child, according to CTV announcements.
The pattern: Sachedina has maintained a lower public profile than his predecessor, focusing on the nightly broadcast rather than media controversy.
Where is Sandie Rinaldo now?
Sandie Rinaldo, a veteran CTV journalist, continues to work for the network. She currently serves as a national correspondent for CTV National News, providing reports from across the country. CTV News (official network site) lists her as a contributor.
How much does Sandie Rinaldo earn?
- CTV does not disclose individual salaries. No confirmed figure is available.
Why this matters: Rinaldo’s continued presence shows that CTV retained experienced talent even as it overhauled its anchor lineup — a nuance often lost in the LaFlamme controversy narrative.
Timeline: Key dates in Lisa LaFlamme’s career and departure
- — Born in Kitchener, Ontario.
- 2011 — Becomes chief anchor and senior editor of CTV National News.
- — Informed that Bell Media is ending her contract.
- — Contract ends; public announcement made.
- — Omar Sachedina takes over as chief anchor.
- September 2022 — Works as special correspondent for Rogers Media covering Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
- 2023 — CBC interview; focuses on Journalists for Human Rights.
- 2025 — Launches Carry the Fire podcast with Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
- — Featured in CityNews discussing Gloria Steinem and JHR.
Confirmed facts and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Birth date: July 25, 1964
- CTV career: 35 years, chief anchor from 2011
- Departure date: August 15, 2022
- Replacement: Omar Sachedina (effective September 5, 2022)
- LaFlamme used the word “blindsided” in public statements
- She worked for Rogers Media during Queen Elizabeth II coverage
- She launched Carry the Fire podcast in 2025
- She is an Officer of the Order of Canada and of the Order of Ontario
- She continues to support Journalists for Human Rights
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth
- Current romantic relationship / partner status
- Precise current residence
- Financial terms of her CTV exit
- Salary figures for Omar Sachedina and Sandie Rinaldo
In her own words: Key quotes
“I was blindsided. I had no idea this was coming.”
— Lisa LaFlamme, in a statement to Global News, August 2022 (Global News report)
“I want to tell the stories that matter to me, stories that can make a difference.”
— Lisa LaFlamme, interview with CBC News, 2023 (CBC News interview)
“Gloria Steinem’s legacy is about the power of using your voice — that’s something I carry with me every day.”
— Lisa LaFlamme, September 2026, quoted by CityNews Toronto (CityNews Toronto feature)
Bell Media made a business decision to take the CTV National News anchor position in a different direction.
— Bell Media statement, August 2022 (Bell Media press release)
Summary: What the LaFlamme story tells us
Lisa LaFlamme has transformed a controversial exit into a second act defined by purpose — podcasting, writing, human-rights advocacy. The network that parted with her has stabilized under Omar Sachedina. But the questions her departure raised about age, gender, and corporate loyalty in Canadian media have not gone away. For viewers who admired her, the lesson is that a journalist’s influence can outlive any contract; the trade-off between business decisions and public trust remains unresolved for the industry.
Related reading: Lisa LaFlamme’s CTV exit and career timeline · Lisa LaFlamme on Gloria Steinem’s legacy and advocacy work
Frequently asked questions
What is Lisa LaFlamme’s educational background?
Details of her university education are not widely publicized. She attended the University of Windsor, though specific degrees are not confirmed in authoritative sources.
Has Lisa LaFlamme won any major awards?
Yes. She is an Officer of the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario, and has received multiple RTDNA Canada awards for journalism.
What is ‘The Last Mandarin’ about?
It is a novel co-authored with Louise Penny, published in 2026. The story involves murder and espionage in a Chinese-run holiday camp in 1940s Canada.
How can I follow Lisa LaFlamme on social media?
She is active on Instagram as @lisamlaflamme. Her posts cover her book, advocacy, and personal reflections.
Who replaced Lisa LaFlamme as CTV National News anchor?
Omar Sachedina took over on September 5, 2022, and currently holds the role of chief anchor and senior editor.
Did Omar Sachedina receive parental leave?
Yes. In 2023, CTV announced Sachedina took parental leave following the birth of his second child.
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Ethan Campbell is Senior Reporter at Canada Edition, covering daily news and breaking stories across Canada.