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Chairperson, Commissioners and Senior Management

Photo: Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer - Ian Scott

Ian Scott

Chairperson and
Chief Executive Officer

Photo: Vice-Chairperson, Telecommunications - Christianne Laizner

Christianne Laizner

Vice-Chairperson,
Telecommunications

Photo: Vice-Chairperson, Broadcasting - Dr. Caroline J. Simard

Dr. Caroline J. Simard

Vice-Chairperson,
Broadcasting

Photo: Commissioner, Atlantic Region and Nunavut - Christopher MacDonald

Christopher MacDonald

Commissioner,
Atlantic Region and Nunavut

Photo: Commissioner, Ontario - Monique Lafontaine

Monique Lafontaine

Commissioner,
Ontario

Photo: Commissioner, British Columbia and Yukon - Stephen B. Simpson

Stephen B. Simpson

Commissioner,
British Columbia and Yukon

Photo: Commissioner, Quebec - Yves Dupras

Yves Dupras

Commissioner,
Quebec

Photo: Commissioner, Alberta and the Northwest Territories - Dr. Linda Vennard

Dr. Linda Vennard

Commissioner, Alberta and
the Northwest Territories

Photo: Secretary General - Claude Doucet

Claude Doucet

Secretary General
 

Photo: Commissioner, Manitoba and Saskatchewan - Vacant

Vacant

Commissioner,
Manitoba and Saskatchewan

Reporting directly to the Chairperson and CEO:

  • Scott Shortliffe, Chief Consumer Officer
  • Steven Harroun, Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer
  • Vacant, Executive Director, Communications and External Relations
  • Scott Hutton, Executive Director, Broadcasting
  • Chris Seidl, Executive Director, Telecommunications
  • Stephen Millington, Acting Senior General Counsel

Our Reporting Structure

The CRTC’s senior roles are Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson of Broadcasting and Vice-Chairperson of Telecommunications. These are full-time positions.

There can be up to 13 full-time Commissioners. All Commissioners are appointed by Cabinet.

The Secretary General supports the CRTC’s operational activities and reports directly to the Chairperson.

Reporting upwards to the Chairperson are the Executive Directors of the Telecommunications and Broadcasting Sectors as well as the Chief Consumer Officer, the Executive Director of Communications and External Relations, the Senior General Counsel and the Chief Compliance and Enforcement Officer.

Under the Lobbying Act, the Chairperson, Vice-Chairpersons and Secretary General are designated public office holders.

Ian Scott's Bio

Photo: Ian Scott

“Put simply, our role is to regulate in the public interest, to ensure that Canadians have access to a world-class communications system.

As Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Ian Scott supervises and directs the work and staff of the Commission. He also chairs Commission meetings and participates in public hearings and consultations.

Ian has over 25 years of policy and regulatory experience in broadcasting and telecommunications both in the public and private sectors.

After working at the Competition Bureau, he joined the CRTC from 1990 to 1994, where he collaborated on the development of a framework for long-distance telephone service competition in Canada. Between 2007 and 2008, as part of the Executive Interchange Program, he was Senior Policy Advisor to the Chairman at the CRTC.

Before rejoining the CRTC in 2017, Ian held various executive positions in the communications industry, including at Telesat Canada, Telus and Call-Net Enterprises, one of the first companies to offer competition in the Canadian long-distance market. He also provided leadership on broadcasting policy and regulatory issues as an executive at the Canadian Cable Television Association.

Ian has served on various boards, including Women in Communications and Technology and Ski Quebec Alpin.

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, McGill University

Term: Ends September 4, 2022

Christianne Laizner

Photo: Christianne Laizner

“All Canadians regardless of their postal code need access to robust, scalable and high-quality voice and broadband Internet on fixed and mobile wireless networks – our lives and livelihoods depend on it.

As Vice-Chair of Telecommunications, Christianne chairs the Telecommunications Committee meetings. She also participates in public hearings and consultations with the objective of developing regulations and establishing policies in both the telecommunications and broadcasting sector.

Christianne has served as the CRTC’s Senior General Counsel and Executive Director of the Legal Sector (2013 to 2017), as well as the CRTC’s General Counsel for telecommunications (2010 to 2012).

Christianne began her career in private law practice, then joined the Department of Justice as a civil litigator in 1987. She later joined the Trade Negotiations Office as counsel to the Department of Foreign Affairs (now Global Affairs Canada), where she participated in negotiations and provided legal advice on dispute settlement provisions of the Canada – U.S. Free Trade Agreement and the North American Free Trade Agreement.

From 1997 to 2007, Christianne co-managed the Litigation and Procurement Review Practice Group at Public Works and Government Services (now Public Services and Procurement Canada) and defended major Crown project procurement before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal. In 2007, she was appointed General Counsel and Executive Director of the Canadian International Development Agency’s Legal Services Branch.

Education

  • Bachelor of Laws, Western University
  • Bachelor of Arts (Hons), McGill University
  • Member of Ontario Bar since 1982

Term: Ends July 16, 2018

Dr. Caroline J. Simard

Photo: Dr. Caroline J. Simard

“Communications regulators around the world have to deal with powerful economic, technical, social and cultural forces in serving the public interest. In this age of major structural change, I want to contribute to the best of my ability in helping the CRTC to stay on course and develop exemplary regulatory practices that channel these forces towards a common objective: giving Canadians a communication system in keeping with the popular imagination.

As Vice-Chair of Broadcasting, Caroline chairs Broadcasting Committee meetings. She also participates in consultations and public hearings with the objective of developing regulations and establishing policies in the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors.

Sworn in as a lawyer in 1994, Caroline has over twenty years of experience in local, national and international communications, in both the public and private sectors. She has worked with all applicable Canadian legislation and international treaties in the field of communications and has developed a profound understanding of the legal, economic, political, technical and social issues related to convergence and competition challenges.

Before joining the CRTC, Caroline spent a decade as legal advisor for the Department of Justice with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Legal Services. In addition, she was senior telecommunications specialist for the International Telecommunication Union, a United Nations agency. She also worked for a large firm (Teleglobe), small independent companies in Quebec and another group of SMEs. In the public sector, she worked for the Quebec government and at various universities in Montreal.

Caroline was a lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa and at the International Seminar on the Information Society, Human Rights and Human Dignity at McGill University.

Education

  • Certificate in Communications (30 credits), University of Quebec at Montreal
  • Bachelor of Law, University of Montreal
  • Master of International Law, University of Quebec at Montreal
  • PhD in Law, McGill University

Term: Ends on September 10, 2022

Vacant
Commissioner, Manitoba and Saskatchewan

Photo: Vacant

Monique Lafontaine

Photo: Monique Lafontaine

“I find it very inspiring to contribute to Canada’s communications and content production industries and to enhancing the security and well-being of Canadians.

Monique Lafontaine has some 20 years of experience in communication and entertainment law. This lawyer has worked in traditional broadcasting, digital media, program licenses and affiliation agreements, as well as anti-spam and privacy legislation.

In the past, Monique worked as a general counsel for independent broadcasters and for a national association of content creators. She also worked as counsel and associate with McCarthy Tétrault and as a policy analyst for the CRTC.

Monique has been a member of many boards of directors including MediaSmarts, the Coalition for Cultural Diversity and MusicFest Canada. She also took part in the CRTC’s Described Video Working Group and Telefilm Canada’s working group on the Canada Feature Film Fund.

She has been a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada since 1994.

Education

  • Bachelor of Law, University of Ottawa
  • Bachelor’s degree in Administration, University of Ottawa
  • Masters of Law, York University, Osgoode Hall Law School

Term: Ends on January 2, 2023.

Stephen B. Simpson

Photo: Stephen B. Simpson

As Commissioner for British Columbia and Yukon, Stephen participates in public hearings and consultations with the objective of developing regulations and establishing policies in both the telecommunications and broadcasting sector.

Stephen brings considerable experience in marketing, public relations, advertising, media production and broadcasting. He most recently served as President of Identity Management Inc., a consulting and public affairs company he co-founded in 1986. From 1999 to 2001, he also served as Vice-President of Marketing with Angus Reid during its expansion into the United States and European markets. In 2001, he was appointed Chair of Totally Hip Software, a developer of digital authoring tools for deploying mobile and online multimedia projects.

Stephen previously enjoyed an award-winning career in advertising and radio broadcasting.

An active member of his community, Stephen Simpson co-founded the Canadian Heritage Arts Society and has served as a director of the Vancouver Playhouse, the Granville Island Trust, the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation and the Vancouver Port Authority.

Term: Ends June 22, 2018

Yves Dupras

Photo: Yves Dupras

“The work we do at the CRTC is very important to me. Every day, we work in the public interest and strive towards giving Canadians what they want, and what they are entitled to: access to the best the world has to offer and to Canadian content that reflects their country and their community, in their own language.

As a member of the Commission representing the Quebec region, Yves attends meetings and hearings across the country and takes part in making decisions. In particular, he ensures that constructive processes are established to regulate the broadcasting and telecom sector in this region.

A Quebec lawyer for over 30 years, Yves practised business and entertainment law at Heenan Blaikie, in Montreal, from 1985 to 1992. He was subsequently appointed to the CRTC as part-time Commissioner in 1992 and then Commissioner for Quebec from 1993 to 1998. Self-employed after that, he worked in corporate financing and was a special advisor to Canadian communications firms. Since 2010, he has been senior counsel in business and securities law at Spiegel Sohmer, in Montreal.

Yves’s considerable expertise in the fields of TV and film has given him important insight into the intricacies of the broadcasting business from the industry perspective, which he brings to his role as Commissioner.

Education

  • Bachelor of Law, University of Ottawa
  • Member of the Quebec Bar since 1983

Term: Ends August 10, 2019

Dr. Linda Vennard

Photo: Dr. Linda Vennard

“I am most inspired by the CRTC’s dedication to public consultation and engagement. Canadians want and need to participate by contributing their perspectives on important issues that impact their lives. Having different positions on the public record ensures that we can make decisions that are in the public interest. Every perspective matters.

As Commissioner for Alberta and the Northwest Territories, Linda participates in public hearings and consultations with the objective of developing regulations and establishing policies in both the telecommunications and broadcasting sector.

Linda is a Professor who specializes in the social context of science and technology, focused particularly on advanced communication technologies and digitization. From 2000 to 2015, she was a faculty member of the University of Calgary’s Department of Communication and Culture, teaching in the areas of research methodologies, mass media and media studies, cultural industries, and public relations. Her research has focused mainly on broadband deployment and community engagement, as well as national security and advanced technologies. She has also conducted research on the ethical and societal impacts of the adoption of science and technology.

In the context of her research, Linda was Senior Research Associate in the SuperNet Research Alliance (SNRA), a major multi-university collaborative project that studied the uptake and impact of broadband in rural and remote Alberta communities. She sat on the University of Calgary's Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board (CFREB) for six years.

Education

  • Bachelor of Science, University of Calgary
  • Masters of Arts, University of Calgary
  • PhD, University of Calgary

Term: Ends May 10, 2020.

Christopher MacDonald

Photo: Christopher MacDonald

“I was born and raised in a small village in Atlantic Canada and understand how a lack of connectivity affects our lives. Canadians need reliable and affordable communications services and that has been my focus since joining the Commission.

As Commissioner for the Atlantic Region and Nunavut, Christopher participates in public hearings and consultations with the objective of developing regulations and establishing policies in both the telecommunications and broadcasting sector.

Christopher offers extensive experience in the telecommunications industry in Atlantic Canada and deep knowledge of the telecommunications sector.

Prior to his appointment to the CRTC, Christopher served as a sales executive and manager with Rogers Communications Inc., including as Senior Manager of Sales and Business Development for Atlantic Canada. In these roles, he managed relationships with the company’s clients and with local telecommunications providers. From 2001 to 2005, he held various roles within the Office of the Premier of New Brunswick, including Executive Assistant to the Premier.

An active supporter of youth and entrepreneurs, Christopher is the Provincial Treasurer of Junior Achievement New Brunswick and a member of the Board of Governors of its Business Hall of Fame. He is also a past director of Partners for Youth and the York Care Centre.

Education

  • Bachelor of Business Administration, University of New Brunswick
  • Master of Business Administration, University of New Brunswick

Term: Ends June 16, 2020.

Claude Doucet

Photo: Claude Doucet

“Creating a work environment where diversity, creativity and innovation are at the forefront is critical to support Commissioners in their policy and regulatory deliberations. It is also what enables the Commission to maintain its position as a world-class regulator.

Claude Doucet is an accomplished senior public servant with over 20 years of experience in communications and policy development.

At Canadian Heritage, he played a key role in promoting major events and planning the communications for these events, which included the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2015 Pan-American Games and royal tours. He also played a major role in developing broadcasting policy and petitions to the Governor in Council.

From 1996 to 2004, Claude held a number of positions of increasing responsibility at the CRTC in broadcasting and regulation. He returned to the CRTC in 2015, as Executive Director, Communications and External Relations.

Moreover, from 2009 to 2015, he was an observer on the board of directors of MediaSmarts, a Canadian charitable organization that promotes media and digital literacy. He has also been an Ottawa Hospital governor since 2016, and Chair of the communications and engagement committee.

Education

  • Bachelor of Commerce (Finance), Laurentian University
  • Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified General Accountant (CPA, CGA)
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