Toronto radio personality 'on hiatus' after human rights complaint filed by former co-host
Toronto radio host John Derringer has been placed 'on hiatus' after former colleague Jennifer Valentyne posted a lengthy video on social media over the weekend alleging harassment and gender discrimination within the workplace.
In the nearly thirteen-minute-long video, Valentyne doesn’t name specific companies or individuals, but details events in which she says she was the victim of verbal abuse, gender discrimination and workplace harassment, along with having her physical health jeopardized. She also claims to have previously filed a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
“What would you do if a co-worker screamed at you, belittled you, called you names, shut you out, brought you to tears, and then laughed when he told you to cry all you want? That he didn’t feel one bit sorry for you, and let you know with utter conviction that if you went to HR, they would choose him?” Valentyne starts the video by saying.
“Would you take a dream job working as a radio host if you knew you would be working with a co-host with accusations of prior abusive behaviour towards women and that you would also be exposed to two, sometimes three men vaping in an enclosed room for four hours a day with no ventilation? Would you complain about it?” she continues.
In a statement sent to CTV News Toronto, Corus Entertainment, the company that owns Q107, confirmed they have received complaints from Valentyne.
“A few years ago, Ms. Valentyne shared certain concerns and we took action to review at that time. 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,” the statement said.
They also said they would be launching an external investigation into the alleged incidents and Derringer in the Morning would be put on hiatus pending the results of the investigation.
“Over the past two days we have received new information about workplace concerns. We have referred these to our ethics and conduct team,” the company said.
CTV News Toronto reached out to Derringer for comment but did not receive a response.
In Valentyne’s video, she says she was encouraged to remain silent about the alleged abuse and that she did so, until her physical health was put at risk.
“Like so many women, I have put up and shut up,” she said. “But there was one thing I just couldn’t put up with: a company that was willing to put my physical health in jeopardy.”
She said she was forced to breathe vape smoke in close quarters for thousands of hours, lost her voice two times and was eventually prescribed an inhaler and steroids.
Valentyne said she presented her concerns to upper management, but that ultimately, nothing was done. She said she believes her decision to complain led to her being fired.
SUPPORT FROM FORMER COLLEAGUES
Former colleagues and coworkers have expressed support for Valentyne since she made the allegations.
Supriya Dwivedi, former host of Global News' The Morning Show 640 AM from 2016 to 2020, told CTV News Toronto Tuesday she witnessed Valentyne visibly upset over incidents involving Derringer on multiple occasions.
"It always feels good to see a friend and a former colleague stand up for themselves," Dwivedi said when reached over the phone. "I know that Jen wasn't alone, and I hope she gets what she intended out of this, some sort of closure or actual justice."
She also said she was aware that employees were vaping in the studio Valentyne worked in.
On Twitter, Dwivedi said "any claims from management or other senior media [people] that they had no idea this was going on are BS."
“We all knew what Jenn was dealing with in that studio,” she wrote.
Also on Twitter, former John Derringer co-host Maureen Holloway wrote, "This is brave and true. I back Jennifer up 100 percent.”
The Derringer in the Morning landing page on q107.com was offline as of Monday.
Valentyne told CTV News Toronto she is not launching any legal action against Corus Entertainment.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Being harassed at work? What to consider when deciding what to do next
If you've been the victim of workplace harassment, it can be difficult to feel you're not alone - and even more difficult to know where to go with a complaint.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Half of Canadians support TikTok ban, with U.S. concerns 'trickling' north: poll
A new poll indicates 51 per cent of Canadians support banning the social media app TikTok, after a U.S. bill aiming to do just that passed in the House of Representatives.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.