Former CBC News host Travis Dhanraj says he was “forced to resign” under “impossible conditions” at the network and for questioning its editorial direction. His legal team is planning to take legal action against the CBC.
In a July 7 email to employees at the public broadcaster, Dhanraj announced his resignation, saying it was “not a voluntary decision” and came after “trying to navigate a workplace culture defined by retaliation, exclusion, and psychological harm.”
In his email, he said, “When I pushed for honest conversations about systemic issues and editorial imbalance, I was shut out. Sidelined. Silenced. And ultimately, erased.”
Marshall said in an email that the CBC subjected Dhanraj “to a toxic and poisoned work environment, where he was retaliated against for speaking out” and for refusing to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Marshall’s office added that Dhanraj was “strongly discouraged from booking conservative voices.”
“He is planning to take legal action, stay tuned,” Dhanraj’s legal team said.
The CBC refutes Dhanraj’s allegations, while noting that it is limited in what it can say due to privacy issues.
“This morning Travis Dhanraj, a unionized employee of CBC/Radio-Canada who is currently on leave, sent internal notes making serious allegations,” Kerry Kelly of CBC Public Affair told The Epoch Times in an email on July 7.
“While we are limited in what we can say in response due to privacy and confidentiality considerations, CBC categorically rejects the accusations made about CBC News, our staff and management.”
In his July 7 email, Dhanraj said his two-decade career in broadcast journalism ended as a result of a dysfunctional workplace environment, editorial imbalance, and a policy of “spin over substance” being pushed by “a small group of insiders.”
Dhanraj went on to say in the post that he expects the CBC to portray him as “bitter or disgruntled” because “that’s what happens when you challenge power.” He added that “when the time is right, I’ll pull the curtain back, I’ll share everything.”
Dhanraj worked as a reporter for CBC Toronto and CBC Edmonton before moving to CTV News, CP24, and Global News. He returned to CBC in 2021 to accept a position as its senior parliamentary reporter before being chosen to host the political analysis show Canada Tonight, which began airing in January 2024.
Dhanraj took a leave of absence from hosting Canada Tonight in July of last year, returned for a short time in December, and went on a leave of absence shortly afterward. Canada Tonight was discontinued in February, and Hanomansing Tonight with Ian Hanomansing now runs in its place.
CBC/Radio-Canada received $1.38 billion in federal funding during fiscal year 2024–2025.
Dhanraj did not respond to requests for comment by publication time.
