Lawyer tapped as new Ontario commissioner

Canadian Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly has filled the long-vacant role of Ontario commissioner at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

The government announced Tuesday it appointed Toronto-based lawyer Monique Lafontaine to the commission for a fiveyear term.

Lafontaine comes from the broadcast sector. She specialized in entertainment and communications law, specifically regarding TV, radio and new media regulation. Her background is a shift from the government’s latest hire chair Ian Scott, a former telecom executive.

Telecom accounts for two-thirds of the regulator’s business, but broadcast files have recently grabbed headlines.

Lafontaine joins the CRTC as it delves into controversial files on Canadian content requirements and the future of content consumption.

“The communications industry is constantly evolving. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission plays a fundamental role at a time when Canadians, more than ever, need access to diverse and appealing creative content across a variety of platforms,” Joly said in a statement.

“Lafontaine’s experience and extensive knowledge will be valuable assets in her new position as CRTC Commissioner for Ontario.”

Lafontaine replaces Raj Shoan, who was the first commissioner to be fired from the CRTC after a protracted conflict with former chair Jean-Pierre Blais.