Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez cuts and slices. His office ignored the tradition of alternation and appointed Monday morning Vicky Eatrides to the post of president of the Commission of radio-television and telecommunications of Canada (CRTC). The lawyer by training was since 2019 Assistant Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
Vicky Eatrides will officially replace controversial incumbent Ian Scott, whose five-year term ended earlier this fall, from January 3. By appointing a woman as the first head of the CRTC, the Trudeau government is ending a tradition of Anglophone-Francophone alternation at the head of the federal body. This gesture prolongs the weakening of the Francophone presence in management roles within the federal public service.
Ottawa had already hinted that this tradition was in danger of being replaced by the government’s desire to prioritize greater inclusion within the federal apparatus.
Minister Rodriguez is pleased to have found in Ms. Eatrides a person with experience “both in the public and private sectors, who brings to the head of the CRTC expertise in competition and regulation, in digital and economics. “.
The lawyer who cut her teeth at Stikeman Elliott in 2000 notably spent a dozen years in decision-making roles at the Competition Bureau. In particular, she oversaw compliance with the Competition Act in the telecommunications, television broadcasting and digital platforms sectors.
The Department of Heritage immediately made two other appointments. Alicia Barin has seen her position as interim vice-president formalized for good. Adam Scott, who oversees spectrum decisions in wireless for the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, was also named vice president.
More details will follow.
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