Former CTV anchor Lisa LaFlamme speaking at Powassan Library fundraiser

Former CTV National News anchor Lisa LaFlamme will appear at a Powassan Library fundraiser this fall.

The event is billed as "An Evening with Lisa LaFlamme," and will see the journalist "entertain the audience with a fireside chat between her husband, Michael Cooke, and herself."

The fundraiser takes place on Saturday, September 23, and is the Powassan & District Union Public Library's first post-COVID fundraising event at the Trout Creek Community Centre.

LaFlamme, who has covered stories ranging from wars and natural disasters to elections and the Olympics, announced in an Aug. 15, 2022 video shared to social media that her contract had been terminated.

The longtime CTV National News anchor said she was blindsided by the company's decision.

Bell Media said terminating LaFlamme’s contract after 35 years was a business decision, adding the company wanted to move the chief news anchor role in a “different direction.”

See: Head of Bell says Lisa LaFlamme's departure not related to age, gender or grey hair

Last August, North Bay's Miles MacMillan was "totally blown away," by the response to his online petition objecting to the way LaFlamme's ouster was handled by Bell Media's CTV.

The MacMillan-authored online petition Reinstate Lisa LaFlamme as Chief Anchor at CTV News gathered 222,541 signatures. 

See: Support for local man's LaFlamme petition soars past six figures

The library's event will start with a cocktail hour, followed by a plated 3-course AAA Roast Beef Dinner or vegetarian option.

Throughout the evening there will be a cash bar, live music, and a silent auction.

Doors open at 5 p.m.at the Trout Creek Community Centre.

At 7:30 p.m. LaFlamme will be interviewed by Cooke.

Tickets are $100 each.  A table reservation for 6 or 8 people will get you a 10 per cent discount. Contact the library directly by email at [email protected] to proceed with a group booking.

With files from Stu Campaigne