“We couldn’t ask for a better ambassador”: Statement on JHR’s future with Lisa LaFlamme

August 17, 2022, Toronto: Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) wishes to reaffirm our longstanding relationship with news anchor extraordinaire and JHR brand ambassador Lisa LaFlamme, and convey our deep respect for her tireless hard work for journalism and human rights across the globe. 

“Lisa LaFlamme is a national treasure,” said JHR Executive Director Rachel Pulfer. “She is the broadcaster of choice for over 850,000 Canadians and has touched many, many more lives internationally through her work with JHR, for which she has always generously found the time. JHR is greatly enriched by her passion and warm spirit. We couldn’t ask for a better ambassador, and we look forward to working with Lisa for many many years to come.” 

For over 30 years, Lisa has blazed a trail in Canadian journalism, reporting the biggest news stories from across the world and leading Canada’s most-watched nightly newscast as Chief Anchor and Senior Editor at her former employer CTV News. As a female leader in Canadian media, she has inspired an entire generation of journalists, and will continue to do so. 

“Lisa LaFlamme is to journalism what journalism is to democracies: an essential pillar,” said JHR Board member Catherine Cano. “Her rigour and her ethics have earned her the trust of Canadians. We could never thank her enough for her significant contribution to democracy.”   

JHR is extremely grateful to Lisa for lending her extraordinary expertise to our work to strengthen media and democracy around the world. After travelling to the Democratic Republic of the Congo herself to train women journalists for JHR in 2013, and conducting needs assessment work for JHR in Haiti, she both inspired and helped shape the Canada World program that regularly embeds Canadian media trainers in four countries in Africa and the Middle East.  

For years, she has also played a key role at JHR’s annual fundraiser gala Night For Rights as the event’s co-chair, and has hosted both the gala and other JHR events in the past. JHR looks forward to working with Lisa long into the future.