The Stratford-born compared Laflamme to Shakespeare’s Cordelia from King Lear, noting that she maintained her integrity despite the circumstances
CTV alumnus and Stratford native Lloyd Robertson commented on the recent Lisa Laflamme vs. Shakespeare-themed Cordelia scandal during a weekend discussion at the Tom Patterson Theater at the Stratford Festival.
“She kept her own integrity the whole time with the old man. From the beginning, I said, “My relationship is our father-daughter relationship.” She was by his side until the very end.
Cordelia was King Lear’s favorite daughter in the tragedy of the same name. Having been honest with her father and not professing her love for him – as her other sisters deceitfully do – she is banished for most of the play as her sisters divide his kingdom. After Cordelia’s sisters finally reject him, she finally returns to caring for him.
Robertson moderated a panel called “Staging Democracy” on Saturday. The panel included Ontario Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell, former Ontario Premier Bob Rae, Stratford Mayor Dan Matheson and representatives from the Stratford Festival. Going slightly off-topic, attendees asked Robertson to comment on her departure from the network’s flagship evening newscast, rated number one in the country.
Robertson served as lead anchor and senior editor for CTV’s national evening news from 1984 to 2011, serving 27 years at CTV and a total of 41 years as anchor. LaFlamme took over as chief news anchor and senior editor after Robertson before being controversially let go in June.
In a video posted to social media, LaFlamme said she was “blindsided” by the decision and was not talking about her firing as rumors circulated online about her longer-than-usual absence. She worked for CTV for 35 years and, as many have pointed out, was only 58 when she was let go. Robertson was 77 when he stepped down.
CTV cited “changing viewing habits” and a desire to move in a new direction as reasons for the layoffs. Bell Media senior vice president of content and news development Karine Moses said LaFlamme was given the opportunity to do a “proper send-off,” but LaFlamme chose not to.
Robertson later clarified his remarks and echoed what other contributors such as Dowdeswell and Ray said, that journalism is an important institution for democracy, not like any other business.
“You’re not going to fire this guy the way you fired Lisa Laflamme,” Robertson said. “These people are good human beings, they interact with the public in a genuine way and they are true to their own identity and their own integrity as they move forward.”
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