Why Was Don Cherry Fired? | Don Cherry Wrongful Dismissal Explained

Hockey commentator Don Cherry was fired by Sportsnet on November 11, 2019, after making controversial remarks about immigrants during his “Coach’s Corner” segment on Hockey Night in Canada.

The comments — made just before Remembrance Day — sparked national backlash and led to questions about whether his termination amounted to a wrongful dismissal.

What Did Don Cherry Say?

On November 9, 2019, Cherry commented on air that immigrants in Mississauga and Toronto were not wearing poppies to honour veterans:

“You people. You love our way of life, you love our milk and honey — at least you can pay a couple bucks for a poppy … These guys paid for your way of life.”

The segment prompted thousands of complaints to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council and widespread media attention.

When Was Don Cherry Fired?

Two days later, on November 11, 2019, Sportsnet President Bart Yabsley announced that Cherry would “immediately step down” after further discussions with the network.

Rogers Media, which owns Sportsnet, said Cherry’s comments were “divisive” and did not reflect the company’s values.

The long-running Coach’s Corner segment, which Cherry had hosted since 1982, was permanently cancelled soon after.

Why Was Don Cherry Fired?

From an employment-law perspective, Sportsnet’s decision was based on conduct that it viewed as “cause” for termination.

Employers in Canada can dismiss an employee for cause only in rare circumstances — when serious misconduct irreparably damages the employment relationship.

As a high-profile public figure, Cherry’s comments reflected directly on Sportsnet’s brand and reputation. The network likely determined that his remarks breached its standards of professional conduct.

However, as Lior Samfiru, Co-Managing Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, noted at the time:

“Because Sportsnet has previously allowed Cherry to make controversial comments without discipline, they may be seen to have condoned his behaviour. That makes it harder to prove cause for dismissal.”

🎧 Listen to Samfiru’s interview with 640 Toronto below

Could This Be a Case of Wrongful Dismissal?

Possibly — depending on what Sportsnet did behind the scenes.

A wrongful dismissal occurs when an employee is terminated without reasonable notice or severance pay under Canadian law.

Even if an employee’s conduct is problematic, an employer must still prove that termination without severance is a proportionate response. Because Cherry had decades of service and Sportsnet appeared to condone similar behaviour before, he may have been entitled to compensation.

What Does This Mean for Employees and Employers?

For Employees:

• Your employer cannot terminate you “for cause” unless they can show serious misconduct and prove that trust has been irreparably broken.
• If you’re let go without proper notice or severance, you may have a claim for wrongful dismissal — even if your employer cites controversy or reputation issues.

For Employers:

• Consistency matters. If you condone certain behaviours in the past, it may be harder to justify a “for cause” termination later.
• High-profile employees require clear conduct policies and documented standards to avoid legal exposure.

Key Takeaway

Don Cherry was fired for remarks that Sportsnet viewed as offensive and contrary to its values. But under Canadian employment law, the question of whether he was legally terminated for cause — or wrongfully dismissed without severance — remains debatable.

Speak to an Employment Lawyer About Wrongful Dismissal

If you’ve been terminated without severance or believe your employer used “for cause” as an excuse, you have rights.

Our team has:

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