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Evan Solomon, the 47-year-old host of the CBC’s Power and Politics and The House, was fired yesterday after the Toronto Star published a front-page exposé accusing him of taking secret commissions related to art sales involving people he dealt with as an on-air host.
In a note to staff Tuesday, CBC editor-in-chief and general manager Jennifer McGuire said the national broadcaster has “ended its relationship” with Solomon.
“I regret to inform you that CBC News has ended its relationship with Evan Solomon, host of Power and Politics and The House,” McGuire said. “We will be making announcements about the interim hosting of these programs in the next few days.”
The brief statement came within hours of a Toronto Star story alleging Solomon “secretly” brokered “lucrative art deals” with people he dealt with during the course of his work in media.
The Star termed this an “apparent breach of the national broadcaster’s code of ethics.”
Solomon released a statement late Tuesday saying the business involved two clients. “In 2013, I formed a private business partnership with a friend to broker Canadian art.
“I disclosed this business to the CBC earlier this year. This month, following a difficult dispute with my partner, I took steps to end our business relationship.
“I did not view the art business as a conflict with my political journalism at the CBC and never intentionally used my position at the CBC to promote the business.
“I am deeply sorry for the damage that my activities have done to the trust that the CBC and its viewers and listeners have put in me. I have the utmost respect for the CBC and what it stands for.”
Agencies/Canadajournal
