Lisa LaFlamme spent 35 years at CTV, most of them as the face of Canada’s most-watched nightly newscast. Then, in the summer of 2022, she was told her contract was over. No farewell broadcast. No career retrospective. Just a phone call and a separation agreement.
The abruptness of her departure raised questions that have lingered online ever since. Was her health a factor? Did she leave voluntarily? And what exactly happened with the surgery she had months before she was let go?
Here is a clear, fact-based breakdown of Lisa LaFlamme’s health history, what actually happened at CTV, and where her career stands now.
Lisa LaFlamme’s Health Update: What We Actually Know
The health questions around Lisa LaFlamme trace back to October 2021. CTV National News posted a public statement on Twitter confirming that their chief anchor was on medical leave. The statement said LaFlamme was recovering from a “non-COVID-related illness” and that she had undergone “major abdominal surgery.” It added that she was “on the mend” and hoped to return to work soon.
LaFlamme did return to the anchor desk after recovering. But she never publicly disclosed the specific medical condition that required surgery, and CTV did not provide further updates.
Separately, LaFlamme had tested positive for COVID-19 in September 2021, about a month before the surgery. She worked from home during that stretch before the medical leave for surgery began.
On the brain cancer rumors: Various low-authority websites have claimed LaFlamme was diagnosed with brain cancer. There is no verified evidence for this. LaFlamme herself has never confirmed cancer of any kind, and no credible news outlet has reported a cancer diagnosis. These claims appear to be speculation that circulated online and should be treated accordingly.
As of 2026, there have been no reports of ongoing health issues. LaFlamme has been actively working as an independent journalist, delivering keynote speeches, and participating in high-profile public events, all of which point to good health.
Lisa LaFlamme’s CTV Career: 35 Years in Canadian Journalism
LaFlamme’s connection to CTV began in 1988, right after she graduated from the University of Ottawa with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Communications. She started as a copywriter and script assistant at CKCO, CTV’s affiliate station in her hometown of Kitchener, Ontario.
She moved up through the ranks steadily. By 1998, she was the primary anchor on CTV Newsnet (now CTV News Channel). In 2001, she became co-host of Canada AM, the network’s flagship morning program. In 2003, she transitioned to the role of national affairs correspondent and backup anchor for CTV National News, working alongside veteran anchor Lloyd Robertson.
When Robertson retired in September 2011, LaFlamme took over as the sole anchor and was named chief anchor and senior editor. She held that position for more than a decade, leading the most-watched nightly newscast in Canada.
During her tenure, LaFlamme covered the war in Afghanistan, the September 11 aftermath, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the opioid crisis, multiple federal elections, the COVID-19 pandemic, and royal events including the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Her awards are extensive: 12 Canadian Screen Awards, multiple RTDNA honours including a Lifetime Achievement award, the Order of Ontario (2016), and Officer of the Order of Canada (2019).
Why Lisa LaFlamme Left CTV: The Full Story
LaFlamme did not leave CTV voluntarily. On June 29, 2022, Bell Media informed her that it would not renew her contract. Bell Media is the parent company of CTV.
The company described it as a “business decision” and said it wanted to move the newscast “in a different direction.” Omar Sachedina, who had been a national affairs correspondent at CTV, was announced as her replacement the same day.
On August 15, 2022, LaFlamme posted a video to social media explaining the situation. She said she had been “blindsided” by the decision and was “still shocked and saddened.” She noted that Bell Media had asked her to keep the termination confidential for several weeks while details were finalized.
What followed was one of the biggest media controversies in Canadian history.
The Grey Hair Controversy and the Michael Melling Fallout
The public backlash was immediate and fierce. But the story deepened when The Globe and Mail reported that Michael Melling, the head of CTV News, had raised questions about LaFlamme’s decision to let her hair go grey during the pandemic.
According to a senior CTV official who was present at the meeting, Melling asked who had approved the decision to “let Lisa’s hair go grey.” On a separate occasion, he reportedly expressed concern about the studio lighting creating a “purple hue” because of her silver hair.
LaFlamme had stopped dyeing her hair in 2020, and the change had been widely praised by viewers across Canada. It became a symbol of authenticity and a quiet rejection of unrealistic beauty standards in television news.
The grey hair angle turned the firing into a national conversation about ageism and sexism in Canadian media. Dove launched a #KeepTheGrey campaign. Wendy’s Canada temporarily changed its mascot’s hair to grey. Over 70 Canadian journalists, politicians, and public figures signed an open letter condemning Bell Media’s decision.
Within two weeks, Melling went on leave from his position. Bell Media’s CEO, Mirko Bibic, stated publicly that the firing had “nothing to do with age, gender or grey hair.” He also announced an independent workplace review of the CTV national newsroom.
What Lisa LaFlamme Is Doing Now in 2026
LaFlamme wasted little time finding new work after leaving CTV. In September 2022, Rogers Media hired her as a special correspondent for CityNews to cover the death and funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. She later covered the Coronation of King Charles III for CityNews in May 2023.
In April 2023, she received the Gordon Sinclair Award for Broadcast Journalism from the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, recognizing her exceptional body of work. She also spoke publicly for the first time about her CTV departure in a CBC interview with Adrienne Arsenault in March 2023, telling the correspondent: “I had 35 memorable years.”
Since then, LaFlamme has focused on independent journalism and advocacy. In 2024, she co-produced “Understanding Indigenous History: A Path Forward,” a documentary project alongside Phil Fontaine, a prominent First Nations leader. The same year, she was inducted into the WXN Top 100 Hall of Fame and was featured as a keynote speaker at the annual gala.
In November 2025, the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires appointed LaFlamme as an Honorary Governor, recognizing her commitment to veterans’ causes.
As of 2026, LaFlamme works as an independent journalist and storyteller, collaborating on investigative projects, delivering keynote speeches, and supporting media-related causes. She continues to serve as an ambassador for Journalists for Human Rights and Plan International Canada, and she sits on the board of the Samara Centre for Democracy.
Lisa LaFlamme’s Personal Life
LaFlamme was born on July 25, 1964, in Kitchener, Ontario. She is the third of four daughters born to David and Kathleen LaFlamme.
After finishing high school at St. Mary’s in Kitchener, LaFlamme spent two years in France working as an au pair, where she became fluent in French. She then completed her degree at the University of Ottawa.
Regarding her marital status, LaFlamme has kept her personal life firmly private. While various websites have attributed different partners to her, no marriage has been confirmed through credible sources. Multiple reliable reports describe her as unmarried. LaFlamme has not publicly discussed a partner or spouse in interviews.
Lisa LaFlamme’s Estimated Net Worth
Based on her three-decade career at CTV, her reported salary during her tenure as chief anchor was between $300,000 and $350,000 per year. That figure, combined with her post-CTV work at CityNews, speaking engagements, and documentary projects, places her estimated net worth in the range of $4 million to $5 million as of 2026.
That number reflects earnings accumulated over an unusually long career at the top of Canadian broadcast news, supplemented by the professional speaking circuit she entered after leaving CTV.
Career Timeline at a Glance
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1964 | Born in Kitchener, Ontario |
| 1988 | Graduated from University of Ottawa; joined CKCO as copywriter |
| 1998 | Became primary anchor, CTV Newsnet |
| 2001 | Named co-host of Canada AM |
| 2003 | Appointed national affairs correspondent, CTV National News |
| 2011 | Promoted to chief anchor and senior editor, CTV National News |
| 2016 | Named to the Order of Ontario |
| 2019 | Appointed Officer of the Order of Canada |
| October 2021 | Medical leave for major abdominal surgery |
| June 2022 | Bell Media ends her CTV contract |
| August 2022 | Posts “blindsided” video; national controversy erupts |
| September 2022 | Hired by CityNews to cover Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral |
| April 2023 | Receives Gordon Sinclair Award for Broadcast Journalism |
| 2024 | Inducted into WXN Top 100 Hall of Fame |
| November 2025 | Appointed Honorary Governor, Canadian Corps of Commissionaires |
| 2026 | Working as independent journalist, keynote speaker, and advocate |
FAQ
What illness did Lisa LaFlamme have?
In October 2021, CTV confirmed that LaFlamme had undergone “major abdominal surgery” and was on medical leave for a “non-COVID-related illness.” LaFlamme never publicly disclosed the specific condition. Rumors about brain cancer have circulated online, but no credible source has verified a cancer diagnosis.
Did Lisa LaFlamme leave CTV voluntarily?
No. Bell Media, the parent company of CTV, terminated her contract in June 2022. LaFlamme said she was “blindsided” by the decision, which Bell Media described as a “business decision.”
Was Lisa LaFlamme fired because of her grey hair?
Bell Media has denied that her hair played any role. However, The Globe and Mail reported that Michael Melling, the head of CTV News at the time, questioned who approved LaFlamme’s decision to let her hair go grey. Melling later went on leave, and Bell Media launched an independent workplace review.
Is Lisa LaFlamme married?
LaFlamme has kept her personal life private. While some websites have attributed different partners to her, no marriage has been confirmed through credible sources. Most reliable reports describe her as unmarried.
What is Lisa LaFlamme doing now in 2026?
LaFlamme works as an independent journalist and storyteller. She delivers keynote speeches, collaborates on investigative projects including a documentary on Indigenous history, and serves on the board of the Samara Centre for Democracy. In November 2025, she was appointed Honorary Governor of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires.
What is Lisa LaFlamme’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth is between $4 million and $5 million as of 2026, based on her 35-year career at CTV, her reported salary of $300,000 to $350,000 per year, and her post-CTV income from speaking engagements and media work.
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