The popular Toronto CILQ radio show on Q107, Derringer in the Morning, has been put on hiatus following allegations of abuse and gender-based discrimination against John Derringer from former co-host Jennifer Valentyne.
On Saturday (May 21), Valentyne posted a nearly 13-minute video on Instagram, detailing several incidents of Derringer — though she did not mention him by name — ridiculing and yelling at her when they were colleagues from 2017 to 2019.
"This has been living inside me for a very long time and it needed to come out at some point. I didn't want my voice and others to be silent anymore," Valentyne added in an email to CBC. "There is a double standard that still exists and that must change. When one woman is treated with disrespect in the workplace it impacts all of us. The overwhelming response from women with similar experiences supports the need for equality."
She has also filed a complaint against Corus with the Canadian Human Rights Commission. While the contents of the complaint have not been shared, it's been confirmed that Derringer is named.
"Over the past two days we have received new information about workplace concerns," the company wrote in a statement yesterday (May 24). "We have referred these to our ethics and conduct team and have retained Rachel Turnpenney from Turnpenney Milne LLP to conduct an external investigation. Effective immediately, the show Derringer in the Morning will be on hiatus pending the conclusion of the investigation. Any concerns involving employee experience are of the utmost importance to us and we are committed to listen, learn and take any appropriate action."
Since Valentyne came forward, other broadcasters have followed suit with similar allegations. On the show for 15 years and having co-hosted in the studio from 2010 to 2015, Maureen Holloway claims she was targeted by verbal attacks from Derringer. She called him a "bully," accusing the radio host of aggressive behaviour, including flying into rages and giving people the silent treatment when he was angry.
Now the director of parliamentary affairs for Senator Leo Housakos, Jacqui Delaney also alleged that she was berated by Derringer when she worked on the show in 2002.
Derringer replaced Howard Stern at CILQ in 2001 and has hosted the morning show ever since. He had also previously worked there from 1984 to 1993, after hosting mornings at CJCL's Sportsnet 590 The Fan from 1995 to 2000.
As of press time, any references to Derringer's show have been wiped from the station's website and social media platforms.
On Saturday (May 21), Valentyne posted a nearly 13-minute video on Instagram, detailing several incidents of Derringer — though she did not mention him by name — ridiculing and yelling at her when they were colleagues from 2017 to 2019.
"This has been living inside me for a very long time and it needed to come out at some point. I didn't want my voice and others to be silent anymore," Valentyne added in an email to CBC. "There is a double standard that still exists and that must change. When one woman is treated with disrespect in the workplace it impacts all of us. The overwhelming response from women with similar experiences supports the need for equality."
She has also filed a complaint against Corus with the Canadian Human Rights Commission. While the contents of the complaint have not been shared, it's been confirmed that Derringer is named.
"Over the past two days we have received new information about workplace concerns," the company wrote in a statement yesterday (May 24). "We have referred these to our ethics and conduct team and have retained Rachel Turnpenney from Turnpenney Milne LLP to conduct an external investigation. Effective immediately, the show Derringer in the Morning will be on hiatus pending the conclusion of the investigation. Any concerns involving employee experience are of the utmost importance to us and we are committed to listen, learn and take any appropriate action."
Since Valentyne came forward, other broadcasters have followed suit with similar allegations. On the show for 15 years and having co-hosted in the studio from 2010 to 2015, Maureen Holloway claims she was targeted by verbal attacks from Derringer. She called him a "bully," accusing the radio host of aggressive behaviour, including flying into rages and giving people the silent treatment when he was angry.
Now the director of parliamentary affairs for Senator Leo Housakos, Jacqui Delaney also alleged that she was berated by Derringer when she worked on the show in 2002.
Derringer replaced Howard Stern at CILQ in 2001 and has hosted the morning show ever since. He had also previously worked there from 1984 to 1993, after hosting mornings at CJCL's Sportsnet 590 The Fan from 1995 to 2000.
As of press time, any references to Derringer's show have been wiped from the station's website and social media platforms.
