Indigo founder Heather Reisman retires, almost half of board steps down
Indigo Books and Music founder Heather Reisman announced she is retiring as almost half of the book retailer’s board of directors steps down.
"The time has come for me to retire from an active role at Indigo," Reisman said in a news release on Wednesday.
Heather Reisman, 2022 inductee, poses for a photograph on the red carpet for the 2022 Canada’s Walk of Fame Gala in Toronto, on Saturday, December 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana MartinOn Aug. 22, she plans to retire.
She founded the Toronto-based book shop 25 years ago with the first location in Burlington, Ont. Since then, Indigo has grown into the largest book retailer in Canada after merging with Chapters in 2001.
Her “Heather's Picks” section of the store, which marks books she has read and loved with a sticker of approval, has become a cornerstone for the company. Aside from books, the company dove into beauty and wellness goods, and home decor in recent years.
"Deciding when it is time to move on is one of the toughest decisions a Founder must make, but I know this is the right moment for me,” she said.
Her departure comes alongside directors Frank Clegg, Howard Grosfield, Anne Marie O'Donovan and Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa stepping down. That translates to four of the company’s 10 directors.
Oriuwa indicated she was resigning “because of her loss of confidence in board leadership and because of mistreatment,” in the Wednesday news release. The physician was appointed to the board in 2020 as a “knowledgeable voice to inform diversity and inclusion efforts," Reisman said at the time.
“I have full confidence and respect for Peter Ruis, CEO of Indigo, faith in his management team and executive strategy,” Oriuwa told CTV News Toronto on Wednesday. Ruis took over Reisman’s role as CEO in 2022.
Indigo was in a state of turmoil earlier this year when a cyberattack shocked the company in February, forcing its website and payment systems to temporarily halt.
Indigo did not immediately respond to an inquiry about why the remaining directors were leaving.
Reisman’s replacement has not been announced.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
1 RCMP officer killed, 2 seriously injured while executing search warrant in Coquitlam, B.C.
One RCMP officer was killed and two others were seriously injured while police were executing a search warrant at a home in Coquitlam, B.C., Friday.
EXCLUSIVE
EXCLUSIVE 'Shared intelligence' from Five Eyes informed Trudeau's India allegation: U.S. ambassador
There was 'shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners' that informed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's public allegation of a potential link between the government of India and the murder of a Canadian citizen, United States Ambassador to Canada David Cohen confirmed to CTV News.
'He was truly exceptional': Slain B.C. RCMP officer identified
B.C. RCMP has identified the officer killed while executing a search warrant in Coquitlam Friday morning as Const. Rick O'Brien.
WATCH
WATCH Video of rats running on wall prompts closure of Waterloo Tim Hortons
A Tim Hortons on University of Waterloo campus has been closed after a video of rats scurrying down one of the restaurant’s walls surfaced online.
TREND LINE
TREND LINE Conservatives extend summer lead over Liberals, NDP sees bump in Nanos ballot tracking
With the fall sitting of Parliament underway, Nanos ballot tracking shows the federal Conservatives continue to hold onto the lead they’ve had all summer while the Liberals remain stalled, and the NDP has managed to gain a bit of steam in third place.
How does India's visa office suspension affect Canadian travellers?
The suspension of Indian visa services for Canadians this week has prompted uncertainty among many who had hoped to travel to India in the near future. Here's what the visa centre closure could mean for India's sizable diaspora community in Canada, which is now caught in the middle of rising diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Who's Bob Menendez? New Jersey's senator charged with corruption has survived politically for years
Bob Menendez, 69, has survived politically for nearly five decades. The son of Cuban immigrants and an attorney by training, he was a Union City, New Jersey, school board member at age 20 -- before he graduated from law school -- and went on to become the mayor of the city. Here's some of what we know about him.
Premier Doug Ford announces cabinet shuffle hours after 3rd minister resigns in a month
Premier Doug Ford is shuffling his cabinet for the second time in recent weeks after Ontario Labour Minister Monte McNaughton announced Friday he is stepping away from politics to move into the private sector.
Cost of foreign interference probe nears $1.9 million; $1.7M goes to law firm
A Toronto-based law firm was awarded a nearly $4.5 million contract to work on former special rapporteur David Johnston's ill-fated foreign interference probe. The investigation has so far cost taxpayers almost $1.9 million, CTV News has learned.
Montreal
-
Jewish groups celebrate as Quebec man sentenced to 15 months for fomenting hatred
A Quebec man convicted of promoting hatred against Jews has been sentenced to 15 months in jail and three years of probation.
-
The Bill 96 effect: CEGEP student warns others to get their English eligibility certificate before it's too late
A John Abbott College student has learned the hard way that applying for a certificate of eligibility for English instruction before graduating high school has become even more critical under the new French language law in Quebec.
-
Man, 32, charged with severe beating of homeless man at Montreal metro station
Montreal police (SPVM) arrested a suspect in connection with the assault of a homeless man at a metro station in the Latin Quarter that left the victim unconscious.
London
-
Police on scene of standoff situation in Delaware, Ont.
Police responded to a Delaware intersection for an apparent standoff situation Friday afternoon after a man refused to leave an apartment above a variety store and gas station.
-
Suspect in custody after man fatally stabbed in west end
An investigation is underway after a man suffering from a stab wound attended a home in west London, Ont. and later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
-
'He appeared to be smiling': Officers describe chaotic scene during Nathaniel Veltman arrest
London, Ont. police officers were alerted to look for a black pickup truck just moments after a Muslim family was run over along Hyde Park Road in west London on June 6, 2021.
Kitchener
-
Pride flag burnt outside Kitchener, Ont. high school: Police
Waterloo regional police are investigating after a Pride flag was trampled and set on fire outside a Kitchener, Ont. high school.
-
Waterloo Region transit, food banks seeing record breaking usage with high student enrolment numbers
More students in Waterloo Region are relying on food bank and transit services than normal, leading to more pressure on the organizations.
-
Police looking for suspect in Uptown Waterloo homicide
Police are searching for a suspect after a fatal stabbing in Uptown Waterloo.
Northern Ontario
-
ATV driver killed in Blind River, 8th ATV death in 2 months
A 62-year-old was killed Thursday in an ATV collision in Blind River. It’s the eighth person to be killed in ATV crashes in the last two months in northern Ontario.
-
Cost of foreign interference probe nears $1.9 million; $1.7M goes to law firm
A Toronto-based law firm was awarded a nearly $4.5 million contract to work on former special rapporteur David Johnston's ill-fated foreign interference probe. The investigation has so far cost taxpayers almost $1.9 million, CTV News has learned.
-
Cheating allegations rock northern Ont. fishing tournament
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says it is investigating “a matter” related to the Top 50 Classic tournament held earlier this month on Lake Nipissing.
Ottawa
-
Wrath of the wasps
There is a buzz in the air and it’s more than that summertime weather we’ve been feeling. It's wasps and lots of them.
-
'Major injuries' after motorcycle, vehicle collide in front of Napanee high school
Ontario Provincial Police say a motorcycle rider was sent to hospital with "major injuries" after a crash with a vehicle in front of Napanee District Secondary School.
-
Ukrainian Canadians in Ottawa show support for Zelenskyy
Ukrainian Canadians gathered on Parliament Hill on Friday as a show of support for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he addressed parliament.
Windsor
-
Graphic warning: Two of four London officers involved in arrest testify at terrorism trial in Windsor
Two of four London police officers involved in the arrest testified at a terrorism trial in Windsor on Friday.
-
Sawed-off shotgun discovered in vehicle on Janette Ave
Windsor police have arrested a suspect after the discovery of an illegal firearm in a vehicle on Janette Avenue.
-
'Don’t hang up': Surge in 9-1-1 pocket dials prompts LaSalle police to sound alarm
LaSalle police are concerned about a high number of recent accidental 9-1-1 calls, and implored residents to stay on the line should emergency operators be dialed.
Barrie
-
Key witness dodges testifying, delaying fatal dump truck crash trial
The trial of Milton Urgiles, accused of criminal negligence leading to the death of one of his workers in 2020, resumed Friday in a Barrie courtroom with the Crown alleging that a key witness was "holding her evidence hostage."
-
Five-vehicle crash in Barrie caused by impaired driver 4x over legal limit
Police say a five-vehicle crash in Barrie Thursday evening was caused by an impaired driver who was almost four times over the legal limit.
-
This police service is offering a unique incentive to potential new recruits
York Regional Police is taking a unique approach to attract potential recruits by offering a $500 savings opportunity for joining the force.
Atlantic
-
A year after Fiona: Nova Scotians still fear blackouts as utility claims improvements
Some are weary of Nova Scotia Power's promises for improvement, as fall hurricane season brings lengthy power outages he feels could be avoided.
-
‘We’re kind of homeless’ Fredericton fire displaces 110 people
A fire in Fredericton’s north side on Thursday has displaced 110 people at a time where the city is seeing extremely low vacancy rates.
-
Halifax Mooseheads to retire Nathan Mackinnon's number
Colorado Avalanche star player Nathan Mackinnon, is back home. MacKinnon’s number 22 retired will Friday night, by his former junior team, the Halifax Mooseheads.
Calgary
-
One dead, another injured following 3-vehicle crash west of Okotoks: RCMP
A woman has died following a three-vehicle collision west of Okotoks.
-
Calgary getting safe child surrender site six years after infant found dead in Bowness dumpster
Calgary's first safe surrender site for babies will soon be available not far from the site where a newborn was found dead in a Bowness dumpster six years ago.
-
'He was truly exceptional': Slain B.C. RCMP officer identified
B.C. RCMP has identified the officer killed while executing a search warrant in Coquitlam Friday morning as Const. Rick O'Brien.
Winnipeg
-
Crime, health care and homelessness: Poll reveals which leader Manitobans believe can best deal with the problem
New polling suggests there is a strong belief among voters in the ability of the NDP and party leader Wab Kinew to tackle major issues such as health care – though the Tories are largely seen as the best equipped to attract more jobs in the province.
-
Winnipeg mayor asks provincial leaders for funding changes
Winnipeg`s mayor wants funding commitments from the provincial party leaders running to become premier next month.
-
Thunderbird Restaurant owner takes City of Winnipeg to court over missing land records
A Garden City-area restaurant owner is taking the City of Winnipeg to court, looking for lost land records it says will stop the construction of a new Starbucks next door.
Vancouver
-
'He was truly exceptional': Slain B.C. RCMP officer identified
B.C. RCMP has identified the officer killed while executing a search warrant in Coquitlam Friday morning as Const. Rick O'Brien.
-
'He had a big heart': Father of fallen teenage wildland firefighter remembers his son
When 19-year-old Jaxon Billyboy graduated high school in Williams Lake in June, it was a proud moment for his father Sheldon Bowe.
-
1 RCMP officer killed, 2 seriously injured while executing search warrant in Coquitlam, B.C.
One RCMP officer was killed and two others were seriously injured while police were executing a search warrant at a home in Coquitlam, B.C., Friday.
Edmonton
-
Alberta Mounties searching for 'armed and dangerous' men wanted for kidnappings
Two people who were kidnapped at gunpoint in eastern Alberta are now safe but police issued a public warning Friday about a pair of suspects who may be in Edmonton or Calgary.
-
Ukrainian president acknowledges Edmonton’s close ties to his embattled country in Ottawa speech
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminded Canada and the world Friday about Edmonton’s close connection with his country.
-
'He was truly exceptional': Slain B.C. RCMP officer identified
B.C. RCMP has identified the officer killed while executing a search warrant in Coquitlam Friday morning as Const. Rick O'Brien.
