Corus Cuts Derringer Loose
• Corus Entertainment announced that it has terminated John Derringer, longtime morning host on Mainstream Rock CILQ (Q107)/Toronto, some nine weeks after he was removed from the air amid multiple allegations of abusive behavior. A statement posted to Q107’s Twitter feed reads, “Q107 and John Derringer have agreed to part ways, effective today. This follows a 22-year tenure as host of Derringer in the Morning. Plans for the show will be forthcoming. The independent investigation initiated by Corus remains ongoing. Corus remains committed to having a full, fair investigation that enables all relevant concerns under Corus’ Code of Conduct to be raised and treats all participants equally regardless of their current employment status with Corus.”
The Toronto Star reports that Derringer’s termination comes on the heels of accusations from several of his former co-hosts alleging workplace harassment and claims that Corus allowed Derringer’s bad behavior to remain unchecked for years.
The Star story says, “On social media, and in interviews with the Star, four of Derringer’s former co-hosts described a pattern of belligerent, abusive behavior, with Derringer flying into a rage during commercial breaks or in front of as many as 20 staffers, dressing down female co-hosts and colleagues at the popular station. The former co-hosts said they complained to station managers and HR personnel, but to no avail.”
As RAMP reported back in May, the CBC noted that Maureen Holloway, who was Derringer’s co-host from 2010 to 2015, called Derringer a “bully” and not just with women. She accused him of aggressive behavior, of flying into rages and of giving people the silent treatment when angry. Holloway also claimed that Corus management convinced people to endure this abusive behavior by paying what staff secretly referred to as “Derringer money” — raises and bonuses so they kept quiet and stayed on.
In late May, following the allegations, Corus Entertainment took Derringer and his show off the air pending an investigation.
