CBC’s Gillian Findlay quits after 30-plus years over remote work dispute

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Longtime CBC journalist Gillian Findlay is quitting her role with the public broadcaster after a dispute over remote work.

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Findlay, who hosts and reports for CBC Television’s investigative program, the fifth estate, announced the news in a social media post announcing that her last day was on Friday.

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“Mountains of gratitude to colleagues, mentors, audiences (both TV and radio) and especially the many, many over the years who trusted me to tell their stories,” Findlay, 63, tweeted. “It was a privilege and an honour.”

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In subsequent post, Findlay told followers that she wasn’t leaving on her own terms and that her departure was related to working remotely.

“A discussion over remote work became a dispute about equal treatment,” she wrote. “Leaving on principle was a hard way to go BUT – AND THIS IS IMPORTANT – NONE of this diminishes my belief in the institution or the hardworking people who remain its beating heart.”

Findlay went on to add her belief that CBC plays an essential role in helping Canadians stay informed about news in their communities.

“Public service journalism is essential, today more than ever,” Findlay wrote.

Former CBC Radio producer Talin Vartanian shared a letter Findlay wrote to friends and colleagues in a lengthy Twitter thread.

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“I am leaving the CBC because I have been unable to negotiate a remote work arrangement that is acceptable to me or in keeping with arrangements afforded peers. I can’t speak to why that is. I can only say that staying and accepting what I believe is inequitable treatment – especially after so many years – is something I cannot do.”

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Vartanian’s social media post also indicated a male host at the fifth estate allegedly had a remote work arrangement similar to the one that Findlay was denied.

In an email to the Toronto Sun, CBC’s head of public affairs, Chuck Thompson, said the decision to leave was solely Findlay’s.

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The Sun has reached out to Findlay for further comment.

A four time Gemini/Canadian Screen award winner, Findlay started her career with CBC News in Vancouver as a general-assignment reporter before becoming the broadcaster’s London correspondent in 1991.

In 1994, Findlay joined ABC News as the network’s Moscow correspondent and became its Middle East correspondent in 1997. Her work was praised stateside with Findlay taking part in the ABC team that won a special Emmy in 2001 for their coverage of September 11th.

In 2002, Findlay returned to Canada and CBC as the host of CBC News: Disclosure, before rejoining the fifth estate two years later.

As Twitter put a “government-funded media” tag on the embattled CBC this week, Findlay praised the broadcaster and wrote it “needs support and needs protection.”

“If you value the kind of work I’ve been privileged to do, please help fight to enure its future,” she wrote.

mdaniell@postmedia.com