Few Canadian faces were as familiar on the evening news as Lisa LaFlamme’s. After more than three decades at CTV, her sudden departure in 2022 left many wondering what came next. Today, she’s taken a different path—one that’s quieter but, in its own way, just as public. She now serves on the board of the Samara Centre for Democracy, a nonpartisan group focused on civic engagement.

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Born: July 25, 1964 · Known for: Chief anchor of CTV National News (2011–2022) · Awards: 15 Canadian Screen Awards, Order of Canada · Current role: Board member, Samara Centre for Democracy

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Current health condition – no public disclosure of any specific illness (Chatelaine profile)
  • Current romantic partner – former relationship with Michael Cooke ended; no new partner confirmed (Chatelaine)
  • Exact net worth – estimates range from $1 million to $5 million but not verified (Chatelaine)
  • Detailed reason for CTV exit – LaFlamme described herself as “blindsided,” but Bell Media has not elaborated (Chatelaine)
3Timeline signal
  • 1989: Began career at CTV Kitchener (Samara Centre for Democracy)
  • 1997: Joined CTV National News as national correspondent (Samara Centre for Democracy)
  • 2011: Appointed Chief Anchor and Senior Editor (Samara Centre for Democracy)
  • 2022: Left CTV National News (Chatelaine)
  • 2023: Appointed to board of Samara Centre for Democracy (Samara Centre for Democracy)
4What’s next
  • Serves on the board of the Samara Centre for Democracy (Samara Centre for Democracy)
  • Volunteer work with Journalists for Human Rights, including mentoring young journalists in DR Congo (Samara Centre for Democracy)
  • Ambassador for Plan International (Samara Centre for Democracy)
  • Active on social media (Instagram, X) (Chatelaine)

Seven key facts at a glance, drawn from verified institutional sources.

Fact Details
Full name Lisa LaFlamme
Date of birth July 25, 1964
Place of birth Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Occupation Television journalist, former chief anchor
Years active 1989–present
Notable awards 15 Canadian Screen Awards, Order of Canada, Order of Ontario
Current role Board member at Samara Centre for Democracy

What is Lisa LaFlamme doing today?

Current professional engagements

LaFlamme has not returned to a regular television anchor role. Instead, she channels her experience into advocacy and storytelling. In 2023, she traveled to Kenya, Tunisia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo with Journalists for Human Rights, producing mini-documentaries on gender‑based violence reporting (Chatelaine). She also continues to appear at public events and on social media, where she shares updates about her projects.

The upshot

LaFlamme has swapped the nightly broadcast for boots‑on‑the‑ground journalism and boardroom democracy work—a quieter but arguably more direct form of public service.

Board membership at Samara Centre

She joined the board of the Samara Centre for Democracy, a non‑profit dedicated to strengthening Canada’s democratic institutions. The centre’s bio describes her as “a passionate advocate for democratic participation and civic engagement” (Samara Centre for Democracy).

  • She volunteers for Journalists for Human Rights and serves as honorary co‑chair of its annual Night for Rights gala (Samara Centre for Democracy).
  • She is an ambassador for Plan International and volunteers with Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan (Samara Centre for Democracy).

The implication: LaFlamme has built a post‑anchor identity that combines her journalism training with direct civic and humanitarian action—a move that keeps her in the public eye without a daily newscast.

Does Lisa LaFlamme have health issues?

Public statements on health

LaFlamme has not publicly disclosed any specific health condition. In interviews, she has not addressed rumors about cancer or other illnesses. The Chatelaine profile from 2023 makes no mention of health concerns (