Lisa LaFlamme fans blast CTV over special devoted to Omar Sachedina

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CTV might be planning to honour its Chief News Anchor and Senior Editor Omar Sachedina with a new special devoted to his heritage, but many fans of Lisa LaFlamme — who was unceremoniously dumped earlier this year — won’t be tuning in.

Fifty years after his mother and thousands of other Indians were expelled from their home in Uganda, Sachedina travels to his family’s homeland alongside his mother and sister in a new documentary set to air this Friday.

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“I want every Canadian to know this story, because it is one of determination, of strength, and of resilience. It’s also a story of how immigration and immigrants add to the richness of this country,” Sachedina said in a release. “It also speaks to the kindness, compassion and generosity of those who welcomed them as they built their new lives.”

After Ugandan dictator Idi Amin ousted the Ugandan Asian community from the country, over 6,000 people fled to Canada.

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But after the announcement trumpeting the in-depth special many LaFlamme loyalists were quick to let the network know they won’t be tuning in to watch Sachedina’s “unforgettable journey.”

“Um, no thanks,” one person tweeted in response to an ad. “I’ll tell you what’s unforgettable, firing perfectly good long-standing news readers,” another added.

“Sorry no. Still haven’t forgiven you for Lisa LaFlamme,” a third critic jabbed.

“You should do a story on how Lisa LaFlamme was ousted and you happily, joyfully, announced your position. I don’t watch CTV anymore,” a fourth chimed.

“Letting CTV use your personal family history for their PR damage control exercise is kinda crummy,” a fifth raged.

But not everyone was unimpressed. Several comments on Sachedina’s Twitter post announcing the doc were supportive. “I remember the first time I went back and the tears wouldn’t stop. I can’t imagine how it hit your mom. Looking forward to watching,” one person wrote.

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LaFlamme, 58, informed viewers her contract was not being renewed in a video statement posted to social media on Aug. 15.

In a Twitter post, the Canadian Screen Award-winner said she was informed June 29 that her contract was not going to be renewed and that it was a “business decision.”

“I was blindsided and I’m still shocked and saddened by Bell Media’s decision,” LaFlamme said. “I was also asked to keep this confidential from my colleagues and the public until the specifics of my exit could be resolved.”

In a press release, Bell Media said it was “recognizing changing viewer habits” as it moved “the role of its Chief News Anchor in a different direction.”

“At 58, I still thought I’d have a lot more time to tell more of the stories that impact our daily lives,” LaFlamme continued. “Instead I leave CTV humbled by the people who put their faith in me to tell their story. I guess this is my sign off from CTV.”

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LaFlamme’s departure has been met with anger coast-to-coast, with Michael Melling, the vice-president of news for Bell Media, announcing a leave of absence from the company. Bell Media has also been forced to contend with claims that LaFlamme was jettisoned because of her grey hair with a number CTV News journalists asserting that her firing was based “more on personal malice than any business-related reasons.

“I am honoured to follow exemplary journalists, such as Lisa LaFlamme and Lloyd Robertson, who have had the privilege of anchoring this newscast and established it as a go-to source for current events. And I am excited to work with our outstanding and dedicated team in this new capacity,” 40-year-old Sachedina said after her ouster.

“The daily connections we make with Canadians over the past six decades are built on a foundation of trusted journalism, fairness, balance and integrity. I look forward to upholding this, and continue delivering news that Canadians rely on.”

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