Von Finckenstein’s final hearing marked by industry appreciation

GATINEAU—Incumbent telcos, new entrants and even a consumer advocacy group all joined forces during the closing moments of the CRTC’s interconnection hearing Tuesday to offer praise and congratulations to outgoing commission chair Konrad von Finckenstein. “There is one other matter that we wanted to read into the record here,” Ted Woodhead, Telus Communications Co.’s vice-president of telecom policy and regulatory affairs, said at the end of Tuesday’s CRTC hearing on interconnection issues. “Collectively, we understand that this is your last public hearing presiding over the commission after five years of dedicated service … and we wanted collectively, again, in a rare display of consensus and unanimity that you’ve been struggling to get us to arrive at, to express some thoughts on the record.” Jonathan Daniels, BCE Inc.’s vice-president of regulatory, agreed. “I too agree with Telus that we should thank you for your leadership over the last five years, and I thought it would be most appropriate to demonstrate that with a diagram,” Daniels said. “But fortunately, for all, I could not think of one that would capture the gratitude the industry owes you.” Von Finckenstein's term as chair of the commission ends Jan. 25 as the Conservative government looks for a replacement. One by one Tuesday, executives and spokespeople from telcos and related organizations praised the commissioner and his new approaches at the CRTC. “Mr. Chairman, shockingly, I think what this shows is that the and cable can be trusted to make some agreements without the commission’s intervention,” David Watt, Rogers Communications Inc.’s vice-president of regulatory telecommunications, said in jest. “It’s rare, but it is happening on this occasion. On behalf of Rogers, we would like to thank you for your contributions over the past five years.” Bob Boron, general counsel for Public Mobile, demurred. “Mr. Chairman, on behalf of Public Mobile, I think this tribute perfectly illustrates the point of the new entrants: the and cable get together and drafted this tribute all by themselves and did not consult us whatsoever,” Boron said. “As your last order of business, you should mandate them to include us in any further tributes or accolades in this regard. Thank you very much Mr. Chairman, a pleasure and all the best in your retirement. Congratulations.” John Lawford, counsel with the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, also thanked von Finckenstein on behalf of the Canadian people. “Mr. Chairman, as the only representative of consumers here today, I think I can speak on their behalf and say the consumers want to express their gratitude very much for your five years of service,” Lawford said. After brief comments from others, the action returned to Woodhead. “With that, Mr. Chairman, this, although somewhat tongue-in-cheek, is a sincere expression of our collective gratitude for not only your service with this commission, but your service to the public service of Canada generally over your career,” he said. “You said that the hallmarks in your view of a regulatory body and a regulatory regime was that there would be transparency, certainly and clarity from the commission. I think you have delivered on that in spades sir. You embarked upon, with your colleagues, an ambitious regulatory agenda, and I think with this ultimate proceeding, you have pretty much accomplished that.” After a round of applause, von Finckenstein, a former Federal Court judge, returned the gratitude and appreciation. “Thank you very much. You’ve really moved me, I must say it’s been five wonderful years—never a dull moment. This is one of the most exciting industries to work in and I really did enjoy working with you,” he said. “You are the future of Canada. Your industry is clearly key, and I’m glad to have contributed ... Merci.” nkyonka@thewirereport.ca

Von Finckenstein’s final hearing marked by industry appreciation

Broadcast | November 1, 2011

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