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
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.