Sophie Thibault used the summer to recharge and relax as it should, while the autumn at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. promised to be busy with the upcoming election campaign for the new presenter of TVA Nouvelles.
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The veteran journalist is still inhabited by the landscapes of the island of Anticosti, where she indulged her passion for photography, in particular by the magnificent waterfalls of Vauréal, but also by the breathtaking views of Mont Blanc in the Alps that she was able to see with own eyes.
“The sun shone throughout my vacation,” she told QMI Agency with a smile in her voice.
In the past week, Sophie Thibault has multiplied the meetings and processes in view of her grand return to the TVA Nouvelles, which will take place next Monday at 17:00 and 18:00. On this occasion she promises her own new opening movement, the successor to Pierre Bruneau.
“I can’t wait to really get my hands on it,” she hinted, noting that she’s happy with her new schedule. In fact, for 26 years she has had “atypical appointments” on weekends or evenings, so she already enjoys the good fortune of having dinner at home but also being with more people.
“I realize how lonely I’ve been all these years. […] I was off everyone’s schedule.
A journalist at TVA for 34 years, she wants to bring her colour, tone and even good news “because there are limits to what people can take in as a concentration of bad news”.
Conversations and weather adapted to climate change
Among the novelties, Mario Dumont will take part in a daily discussion with a different panelist, whether Philippe-Vincent Foisy, Paul Larocque or Emmanuelle Latraverse. And TVA Sports’ Félix Séguin will be there every day. Sophie Thibault said she particularly appreciated their collaboration during Guy Lafleur’s national funeral.
“For the weather segment, we want to work more on it, not just because it’s the impressive Colette [Provencher]but because the weather is now going through the environment and the consequences of climate change.”
Apart from a few elements, the facility will not be changed immediately, but only in a few months. “It will be great if what I saw in the plans comes true.”
The Lisa LaFlamme Affair
Regarding the firing of CTV National News host Lisa LaFlamme, Sophie Thibault says she is “overwhelmed and regrets”.
“Judging by what has leaked out in the media, it’s a power struggle that has cost him dearly.”
It seems that Ms. LaFlamme’s new gray hair would have bothered CTV News boss Michael Melling, with whom she would have had more trouble regarding his bulletin’s vision.
“Lisa LaFlamme is a reference: she’s had a remarkable career, made her choices and this hideous conclusion saddens us all. She went against her will with great dignity: she has our deepest sympathy.”
For its part, TVA has relied on Sophie Thibault since 1988. In 1990, during the Oka crisis, she began to excel at directing special programs and in 2002 the channel appointed her presenter of TVA Nouvelles de 22h. Back then, no woman had found herself at the head of a major newsletter in North America.
More women on screen
Sophie Thibault is also happy about the growing role of women in the media.
“I am very pleased about this significant development in this profession. Our media needs to best reflect the society we live in: the fact that women can have their place at all levels of the pyramid makes for much more balanced reporting. It adds another voice and reads the news and the decisions that need to be made on a daily basis. It’s taken a long time to get there, but the trend is strong and we’re winning together,” she said.