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CRTC appoints Leonard Katz as Acting Chairman

By on January 25, 2012 at 11:33am in Mobile News


Yesterday officially marked the last day of a 5-year term for Konrad von Finkelstein – he was the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Chairman. For those who are interested to see who’s taking over the reins at the CRTC, it’s Leonard Katz, who previously was the Vice-Chairman. Hopefully, just hopefully, he’ll bring the CRTC up-to-date and relevant.

The official press release stated that “Leonard Katz appointed Acting Chairman of the CRTC”.

OTTAWA-GATINEAU, January 25, 2012 — Today, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced that Leonard Katz will serve as Acting Chairman until the Government of Canada appoints a new Chairperson.

Mr. Katz has served as the CRTC’s Vice-Chairman of Telecommunications since October 2007. He previously served as the Executive Director of Broadcasting and Telecommunications. Before joining the CRTC, he spent 30 years in the private sector, serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of Digimerge Technologies and President of Rogers Business Solutions, among other senior roles.

Under the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act, CRTC Commissioners may authorize one of the Vice-Chairpersons to exercise the powers and duties of the Chairperson when a Governor-in-Council appointment has not been made.

The mandate of the previous Chairman, Konrad von Finckenstein, Q.C., ended yesterday.

The CRTC
The CRTC is an independent public authority that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada.

Source: CRTC

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  4. Public Mobile appoints Francois Duffar as Chairman… “provides a real voice for Quebec”

Discussion

30 comments for “CRTC appoints Leonard Katz as Acting Chairman”

  1. I’m sure he’ll do a great job of continueing to protect the Monopolies in Canada like Rogers and Bell.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 63 Thumb down 0

    Posted by Sam | January 25, 2012, 11:39 am
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    • Dear Mr Katz,
      Could you update/upgrade Canada and align them with the rest of the world by having 2yr contracts Maximum on mobile plans?
      Thanks,
      A Canadian consumer

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 33 Thumb down 0

      Posted by nomore3yrcons | January 25, 2012, 12:57 pm

    • Dear nomore3yrcons,

      Sorry, but my Robbers overlords say no.

      Regards,

      Mr. Katz

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 0

      Posted by ToniCipriani | January 25, 2012, 1:40 pm

  2. “President of Rogers Business Solutions, among other senior roles.”

    There goes any chance of any real change.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 64 Thumb down 0

    Posted by Jay | January 25, 2012, 11:44 am
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    • That’s exactly what I was about to post lol

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 0

      Posted by Mo | January 25, 2012, 11:44 am

    • First act of the new chairman is to approve a rate increase for Rogers Internet, Phone and Cable divisions.

      Nothing will change…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 29 Thumb down 0

      Posted by Nick | January 25, 2012, 12:12 pm

    • Months before the spectrum auction, where the chairman would have to decide whether to set aside spectrum for the new entrants, or level playing field, and who to include and exclude and such. Think maybe the old chairman didn’t want the stress of excluding RoBeLus, or setting aside much needed spectrum for the real companies?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0

      Posted by Enlightened User | January 25, 2012, 6:15 pm

  3. Sorry if this sounds rude, but what about his profile suggests he’ll bring about change?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 27 Thumb down 0

    Posted by Mike W | January 25, 2012, 11:52 am
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  4. And we’re still in the same spot, not moving forward an inch. These news are no news.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 0

    Posted by Reno911 | January 25, 2012, 12:01 pm
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  5. I bet Rogers and Bell are jumping for joy like a kid at Christmas as this news.

    A person with heavy ties to the big 3 in charge of the CRTC.

    I’m glad I have a second citizenship, cause this country is going down fast.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 27 Thumb down 2

    Posted by Terry | January 25, 2012, 12:18 pm
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    • Uhh yeah, the CRTC won’t mandate that the telco’s lower your Telco service bills… so obviously Canada’s F****D.

      Wow… over react much?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2

      Posted by Nik | January 25, 2012, 2:34 pm

    • They don’t have the power to dictate prices to consumers, but they certainly have the power to dictate pricing to other companies, i.e. wholesale providers.

      They also have the power to make rules for throttling, advertising practices etc.

      So yes, I would still be worried, and it’s not overreacting.
      What you are doing is UNDERreacting. You should be VERY concerned about the leadership of the CRTC considering this guys background.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0

      Posted by Terry | January 25, 2012, 9:27 pm

  6. Goodbye 3 year contracts… Hello 4 year contracts…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 32 Thumb down 0

    Posted by keiYUI | January 25, 2012, 12:20 pm
    Reply to this comment

    • In response to 5yr mortgages, we will have 5 yr contracts!
      (Must cancel one yr in advance)
      When signing a new contract an Agent will be required:
      Buyer agent will get your VM and the purchasing agent will keep your Caller ID.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0

      Posted by nomore3yrcons | January 25, 2012, 1:01 pm

  7. The CRTC is becoming an old boys club for former big three Exec. The governmaent needs to crap the CRTC…useless.
    They will approve all the big 3 stupid ideas and kill the independants.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 0

    Posted by Jamma | January 25, 2012, 12:20 pm
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  8. Wow… How is this going to protect consumers? This is will only protect Rogers! Why is the stupid government appoint this guy? The whole thing is so corrupted!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 0

    Posted by XER | January 25, 2012, 12:39 pm
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    • Did you actually read the news release?

      “Under the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act, CRTC Commissioners may authorize one of the Vice-Chairpersons to exercise the powers and duties of the Chairperson when a Governor-in-Council appointment has not been made.”

      The government did NOT make this appointment, his buddy Konrad did on his way out the door.

      Now the chances of the government making the right decision are slim at best, but lets not blame them for crap they didn’t do too.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1

      Posted by AmyR | January 25, 2012, 1:00 pm

  9. Great, another reason to despise the CRTC.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 0

    Posted by EmperumanV | January 25, 2012, 12:45 pm
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  10. I’m worried. He was a former President of Business Solutions and Rogers…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0

    Posted by Mark | January 25, 2012, 1:20 pm
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  11. This goes to show people don’t read anything in full anymore. This guy is not the permanent Chairman, he is the acting Chairman. This was not the Government of Canada’s decision. If you are truly worried about someone from the Big 3 taking over the gig permanently, maybe you should voice your opinion’s to your local MLA/government and not complain about it on a non-government website comment’s page. You’re all lazy.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3

    Posted by Tyson S. | January 25, 2012, 1:26 pm
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    • You also forget the part where he is one of the two Vice Chairmen, the other being Tom Pentefountas, and that he participates in setting and voting on policy just like the other commissioners.

      It’s like they’re not even trying to hide the regulatory capture one bit.

      People with a work employment history of longer than two years at any business that is considered regulated by the CRTC within the past 8 years should not be eligible for such positions.

      I also don’t think they should be getting expert consultations from said industry and should spend considerable time examining how other countries do things and bring in international views. Especially considering how utter crap Canada is in those standings.

      But then again, I don’t see any of that happening because the government seems to view the CRTC’s role as something of a business lubricant that keeps companies satisfied that the playing field is even amongst themselves. It has very little impetus for actually protecting consumers as a primary directive and they, as former employees, probably don’t even understand what the consumer actually wants versus what the consumer is willing to dish out money for.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0

      Posted by Soldier Blue | January 25, 2012, 1:46 pm

  12. All I have to say is some people just need to learn to accept badness and shave it off.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3

    Posted by Iwantanexus | January 25, 2012, 1:56 pm
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  13. He looks like a d1ckface

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 2

    Posted by DJM | January 25, 2012, 2:09 pm
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  14. Cock.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2

    Posted by 173 | January 25, 2012, 2:39 pm
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  15. Why is a psychologist the chairman of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission?

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Katz

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2

    Posted by Andrew Smith | January 25, 2012, 3:03 pm
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    • He doesn’t look 74…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0

      Posted by Blocknards | January 25, 2012, 4:23 pm

    • oh for the love of god…you know not everything is on wikipedia right? here: http://tinyurl.com/7qkd3vg He was a vice chairman previously and his background is pretty much all with rogers. yay more crtc crony politics with big 3 companies.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0

      Posted by ehoustoun | January 25, 2012, 4:35 pm

  16. People, write to your government, complain, explain the sham and post they do something reasonable for a change.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0

    Posted by MattyMattMatt | January 25, 2012, 5:11 pm
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  17. Here goes your competitors in Canada, he will be sure that CRTC would do anythings and everything it could to destroy WINDS & Mobilicity. Your hard earn taxes money at work. Welcomes to an ice age of Canada.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

    Posted by idonkey | January 25, 2012, 7:23 pm
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