First CRTC chair Juneau remembered

Former head of Radio-Canada and the CRTC Pierre Juneau has died at the age of 89. Juneau served as head of CBC/Radio-Canada from 1982 to 1989. In 1968, he became the first chair of the CRTC under the newly enacted Broadcasting Act, a position he held until 1975. “As CRTC chairman, Juneau is best remembered for promoting Canadian content regulations in both radio and television as well as in the growing medium of cable. The regulations, soon called 'Cancon,' helped create a permanent domestic market for Canadian music and television,” the website of the Museum of Broadcast Communications says. Earlier in his career, Juneau served Montreal district representative at the National Film Board. “Pierre Juneau believed in the importance of Canadian culture, and he brought that belief to life in policies that reshaped media in this country,” Writers Guild of Canada executive director Maureen Parker said in a statement Tuesday. “He worked to make certain that Canadian artists have a voice in their own country. His legacy can be seen and heard daily in Canada’s vital and vibrant TV, film and music.” Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau appointed Juneau as the minister of communication in 1975, and following his defeat in an election, as the deputy minister of communication. Leonard Katz, acting chair of the CRTC, said in a statement Tuesday that the commission is “especially indebted to the leadership provided to the CRTC as its first Chairman.” Katz added that the CRTC is “celebrating his legacy as the architect of Canadian content regulations, and the dynamic cultural industry that has since flourished. His passion and wisdom will be deeply missed, and we offer our condolences to his family and loved ones.”

First CRTC chair Juneau remembered

People | February 21, 2012

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