Lisa LaFlamme

Lisa LaFlamme, OC OOnt (born July 25, 1964) is a Canadian television journalist, and currently the chief anchor and senior editor of CTV National News. She replaced Lloyd Robertson in this role on September 5, 2011. LaFlamme previously served as the news international affairs correspondent and substitute host for CTV National News.

LaFlamme was born in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, to David and Kathleen LaFlamme. She graduated from St. Mary's High School and then from the University of Ottawa. LaFlamme began her career at CTV’s Kitchener affiliate CKCO in 1988 as a copy writer and script assistant. She moved on to become an anchor in 1997. Past roles include serving as the co-host on Canada AM between 2001 and 2003, as a parliamentary reporter, and on CTV NEWSNET now CTV News Channel.

LaFlamme joined CTV National News in 2003 as a foreign correspondent as well as back-up anchor to Lloyd Robertson. She covered many international events and conflicts: the September 11 attacks and the subsequent Iraq War, the War in Afghanistan (2001–present), the Arab Spring in Cairo, Hurricane Katrina, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005 and the election of Pope Francis in 2013. LaFlamme has also covered every Canadian federal election since 1997, and every Olympic Games since 2006, most recently, the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics and the London 2012 Summer Olympics. Also from London, she covered the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 and the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011. After Robertson's departure in September 2011, LaFlamme was promoted to sole anchor in his place.

Notable interviews (selected)

Laflamme has interviewed many notable Canadian and international political figures, such as former Prime Ministers Paul Martin, Jean Chrétien, and Brian Mulroney, Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen Harper, plus current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his mother Margaret Trudeau, British royalty such as Prince Andrew, Prince Harry for the Toronto's Invictus Games and during the London Olympics, and Sir Paul McCartney.

She has also interviewed:

• Boris Johnson (Mayor of London at the time)
• Conrad Black (Former businessman)
• Sarah, Duchess of York
• Colin Powell
• Bill Clinton
• Tony Blair
• Benjamin Netanyahu
• Justin Trudeau
• John Kerry
• AlexTrebek

Career timeline

• 1988: joined CKCO as copy writer and script assistant
• 1989–1999: Radio News Reporter for CFCA/AM109
• 1991–1997: Reporter and Anchor for CKCO
• 1997–1998: Weekend Anchor/Reporter for CTV NEWS NET
• 1997–1998: Consumer Reporter, CTV News
• 1998–2000: Prime News Anchor for CTV Newsnet (now CTV News Channel)
• 2000–2001: Parliamentary Correspondent, CTV News
• 2001–2003: Co-Host of CANADA AM
• 2003–2010: National Affairs Correspondent, CTV National News with Lloyd Robertson
• 2010: Appointed successor to Lloyd Robertson as full-time anchor of CTV National News
• 2011–present: Chief Anchor and Senior Editor CTV National News with Lisa LaFlamme

A CTV News report in June 2019 detailed the humanitarian work done by LaFlamme:

LaFlamme volunteers with Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) and has travelled with the organization to the Democratic Republic of Congo to mentor and train young journalists. She has championed a program that allows eligible CTV News staff journalists to participate in JHR missions around the world. LaFlamme is also an ambassador of PLAN International, travelling to remote areas to promote child rights, and she volunteers with Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, which works to advance education and educational opportunities for Afghan women and their families.

LaFlamme has had five Gemini award nominations in the Best News Anchor category and several RTDNA awards, as well as a 1999 Galaxi Award from the Canadian Cable Television Association.

In March 2014, LaFlamme won a Canadian Screen Award for 'Best National Newscast' and 'Best News Anchor' for CTV National News. In 2016, she was made a member of the Order of Ontario. In 2019, Lisa was named an officer of the Order of Canada.

Order of Canada

In late June 2019, an announcement stated that LaFlamme was one of 83 Canadians named Officer of the Order of Canada (O.C.). A news report stated that this honour "recognizes LaFlamme for her contributions to journalism and news broadcasting, as well as her support and promotion of human rights".

Honorary degrees

• University of Windsor (2018)
• University of Ottawa (2014)
• Wilfrid Laurier University (2006)