CRTC top positions up for grabs

TELECOM Chairman Blais’ term expires in five months

Ottawa has moved to fill four top jobs at the Canadian Radio- television and Telecommunications Commission, where the federal government has recently had trouble finding permanent replacements for outgoing commissioners.

The federal government posted job listings for chairperson, vice-chairperson and two commissioners at the telecom and broadcast regulator with just five months to go before sitting CRTC chairman Jean- Pierre Blais’ term expires. Only one chair’s term has been extended previously in the CRTC’s nearly 50 years of operations.

Blais was not available Tuesday to answer questions about whether he intends to reapply for his job, according to a CRTC spokesperson who said Blais is on vacation. But he has previously left the door open when asked if he wants to extend his term. He told the Financial Post recently he doesn’t want to retire and would return to an assistant deputy minister position “if there’s nothing else.”

Whoever fills the seats will make decisions that dictate parameters for the communications industry as it shifts its focus to wireless and Internet from telephone and television. They will also take over when the organization has been in the spotlight for both its policies and leadership issues.

Blais’ five- year term has been characterized by populist policies and his strong vision. Critics say the balance has tipped too far away from business under his watch, while consumer advocates say he’s been the best thing for consumers.

He is also known for his clash with former commissioner Raj Shoan, who did not agree with his leadership style. The cabinet fired Shoan last summer in what is thought to be a CRTC first. He subsequently sued the government for his job back, accusing Blais in court documents of participating in a “witch hunt” against him.

The hearing date for the judicial review on terminating Shoan’s appointment takes place next week, leaving the issue of his employment unresolved.

Yet the government also posted a job listing to replace Shoan as commissioner responsible for Ontario.

The other positions available include commissioner for Manitoba and Saskatchewan, replacing Candice Molnar who departed this month, and vice- chair of broadcasting. The vice-chair role is only filled temporarily since the Department of Canadian Heritage didn’t attract a wide enough pool of applicants to fill the role permanently. The position was vacant for a year and will be vacant again in May.

There are currently seven commissioners at the regulator out of a possible 13. If the hiring process goes to plan, there will be nine by spring.