Derringer in the Morning put on hiatus pending results of external investigation
By Amanda OYE
TORONTO – Last Saturday, Jennifer Valentyne (above) posted a video on Facebook detailing allegations of workplace harassment and her decision to register a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission alleging gender discrimination.
“I have been called names, I have been threatened by men too many times to count, yet I never said a word. I lasted. I lasted because I kept my mouth shut. That’s what women learn to do. I was very aware that if you complained you are out. Fired,” Valentyne says in the video.
According to the video, Valentyne was put in a situation where she was working in an enclosed room with no ventilation for four hours a day with two to three men vaping, which resulted in health problems for her.
“Like so many women I have put up and shut up. But there was one thing that I just couldn’t put up with – a company that was willing to put my physical health in jeopardy. Surely, we have reached a point where women should not have to go to work feeling unsafe and afraid. It should be expected that companies provide a toxic free working environment and if they don’t, they should be held accountable.”
Valentyne goes on to say she went to her boss, two vice-presidents and to the CEO of the company to try to deal with the vaping situation and about “the extreme mental abuse” she says she suffered. She asked for a supervisor in the room, or another woman and she was told this was not possible, according to the video.
The video has been watched and shared by many, including Jacqui Delaney who says Valentyne – who does not name anyone or any company in her video – was referring to Q107 Toronto host John Derringer. Delaney, who also previously worked at Q107 with Derringer said on a recent episode of the podcast Toronto Mike’d, Derringer is one of the reasons she left radio.
A statement from a spokesperson at Q107, which is owned by Corus Entertainment, says effective immediately Derringer in the Morning has been put on hiatus while an external investigation is conducted.
Cartt.ca reached out to Corus requesting an interview but we were told no one is available. Instead, we were emailed the statement from the Q107 spokesperson.
The statement says they are aware of the concerns Valentyne has voiced about her time in broadcasting, including with them and acknowledged she has previously voiced concerns to them.
“A few years ago, Ms. Valentyne shared certain concerns and we took action to review at that time,” the statement reads. “There is also a process underway with the Canadian Human Rights Commission. We have had mediated conversations with her, been responsive to proceedings, and we are waiting determination of next steps. We take these matters seriously and look forward to a resolution.”
The spokesperson also noted they “have received new information about workplace concerns” since the video was posted. “We have referred these to our ethics and conduct team and have retained Rachel Turnpenney from Turnpenney Milne LLP to conduct an external investigation.”
The spokesperson says they will not comment on specific details “Out of respect for confidentiality and privacy of those involved and the formal processes underway.”
This is not the only allegation of discrimination made against Corus in recent years.
As Cartt.ca has previously reported, in 2020 the company was called on by Black journalists and other journalists of colour to address issues of systemic racism at Global News.
An open letter from the Canadian Association of Black Journalists (CABJ) claimed “Over the years, Black employees at Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment, have had to deal with microaggressions, overt racism and a lack of representation at the company.”
The letter called for several steps to be taken towards improving the working environment for employees and potential employees who are Black, Indigenous and people of colour including putting in place a dedicated support system for Black employees at Corus.
Over 140 Corus employees signed another open letter, in solidarity with CABJ. In response to CABJ’s letter, Corus conducted an external independent review of the organization and CEO Doug Murphy indicated they would implement several measures including introducing initiatives to remove systemic barriers to improve retention and promotion opportunities.
Photo screen captured from Valentyne’s Facebook video.
