Phil Darlington's Global News bio now describes him as a former employee, with his time at the network listed as 2018 to 2026.
He is no longer appearing on weekdays on Global Edmonton's Global News Hour at 6.
Neither Darlington nor Corus has said whether his exit is connected to the company's restructuring. When asked about departures in July, a Corus spokesperson said the company was not commenting on individual personalities.
Who he is
Darlington was born and raised in Toronto and holds an Honours B.A. in Communications from York University along with a diploma from the Broadcast Journalism program at Seneca College, according to his Global News biography.
He began in journalism at Excalibur, York's student newspaper, and worked in the newsrooms of 680 News and Rogers while studying. He later worked at Rogers as a general assignment reporter, and as a video journalist and weather anchor at CKPR in Thunder Bay, according to a Corus press release.
He moved to Edmonton in 2018 to join Global Edmonton, initially as the weather specialist on Global News at 11.
He followed Mike Sobel
In February 2023, Corus announced Darlington was moving to Global News Morning, taking over from Mike Sobel, who retired in December 2022 after more than 40 years in the business.
That's not a small assignment in this city. Sobel was on Edmonton television for four decades.
"It gives me great pleasure to announce that Phil Darlington is the new, permanent weather anchor on Global News Morning," Jim Haskins, Global Edmonton's station manager and news director, said in the announcement. "Phil is extremely likable, versatile and able to move seamlessly between delivering the weather forecast and conducting in-studio interviews on a myriad of subjects."
Darlington's own reaction at the time: "I am thrilled to be joining the morning team. Everyone on and off the air are stellar. I am looking forward to bringing the forecast and plenty of laughs to our viewers. It's a total one-eighty from my role on Global News at 11, but as they say, the early bird needs the coffee."
He later shifted back to the afternoon and evening broadcasts.
What's happened at Global Edmonton this summer
July 16. Corus Entertainment confirmed it was moving technical production for Global News broadcasts in Calgary and Edmonton to Toronto. Unifor said 43 of its members were cut across the country, with 28 of those positions in Alberta. Broadcast Dialogue reported the figure at roughly 45 unionized employees, the majority at Global News in Alberta.
Most of those roles were behind the camera. What Corus centralized was control room operations, the directors, switchers and operators who put a newscast to air.
But not all of them. The same day, Scott Roberts, co-anchor of Global Edmonton's 6 p.m. newscast, announced he was among those cut.
"Sad to say, but I won't be reporting the evening news on Global any longer. The company is making significant cuts to local news and I among them," Roberts wrote on Instagram. "Thank you to everyone who invited me into their homes over the past four years. Thinking of all my colleagues impacted by the layoffs."
Late August. Corus confirmed a further round, this time affecting Global BC, Global National, News 640 in Toronto and its talk radio operations.
Daily Hive reported that Global News Morning in Edmonton has cut its airtime from four hours to three, now running 6 to 9 a.m., and that the technical side of the morning show moved from Edmonton to Toronto this week.
What Corus says
"Corus is committed to local news and will maintain its local news delivery in Calgary and Edmonton," spokesperson Annie Arnone said in July. "While some roles have been impacted as we centralize production, we are adding additional roles to continue providing news programming in these markets."
The company has said Alberta newsrooms remain open with local anchors, reporters, producers and newsgathering staff, and that it provides more local news hours in Alberta than any other television news organization.
On the August cuts: "These changes are part of the difficult but necessary work to ensure our teams are structured in a sustainable way, while minimizing disruption to local news and audio delivery. We remain committed to supporting our news operations, and these changes do not reflect station closures or a retreat from our commitment to news."
The numbers behind it
For the three months ended May 31, Corus reported consolidated revenue down 16 per cent year over year to $249.4 million. Advertising revenue fell 20 per cent and subscriber revenue fell 13 per cent.
The company posted a net loss attributable to shareholders of $36.5 million in its third quarter, against a $7.3-million loss a year earlier.
Corus carries roughly $1.1 billion in debt and is seeking CRTC approval for a recapitalization plan that would shift control to a newly created parent corporation. The deal would reduce total debt and liabilities by more than $500 million, cut annual cash interest by up to $40 million, and extend debt maturity by five years.
CEO John Gossling has said the plan "represents the best path for Corus."
The company cut between 35 and 46 news jobs late last year.
Unifor's position
The union condemned the July cuts.
"The dozens of job cuts are the latest sign of a broadcasting sector under mounting pressure from media consolidation, delayed government action, and financial uncertainty," Unifor said.
What's still unknown
Whether Darlington's departure is connected to the restructuring, or whether he left for something else. Neither he nor Corus has said, and Daily Hive reported it contacted Corus for comment without receiving a response.
Who takes over the 6 p.m. weather. Global Edmonton's chief meteorologist is Jesse Beyer.
Whether further changes are coming in Alberta.
Sources
Global Edmonton Announces Phil Darlington as New Weather Anchor on Global News Morning — Corus Entertainment, February 2, 2023
Phil Darlington, Weather Specialist — Global News
Corus to centralize Calgary, Edmonton control room production, some jobs cut — Global News, July 2026
Corus Entertainment third quarter results
Unifor statement, July 2026
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