MONTREAL – Robert Dépatie, the Videotron executive who oversaw a long period of growth for the cable company and presided over its successful foray into wireless will retire for health reasons and will resign as president and CEO of Quebecor and Quebecor Media, CEO of Videotron and as director of Quebecor and Quebecor Media, the company announced late Monday.
In accordance with the succession plan established under the corporation's governance rules, the boards of directors of Quebecor and Quebecor Media have announced the appointment of Pierre Dion as president and CEO of Quebecor and Quebecor Media, effective immediately. Dépatie will provide Dion with his full support and oversee the transition until May 30, 2014, reads the release.
The company did not disclose the nature of Dépatie’s health issues. Dépatie, 55, was made CEO of the company in March of 2013, after former CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau decided to step down and then ultimately go into politics.
Dion has been a member of Quebecor Media's executive committee since 2004 “and has been involved in all of the corporation's strategic decisions over the past 10 years, including the introduction of Videotron's mobile service,” says the release. He is recognized as a leading Canadian media industry expert and was one of the main architects of the content convergence strategy across all distribution platforms designed to fully leverage our telecommunications assets.
"I wish to express the Board's full confidence in Pierre Dion, a highly talented and experienced manager," said the Brian Mulroney, vice-chairman of the board of Quebecor and Quebecor Media, in the release. "He possesses in-depth knowledge of the industries in which we operate and will be able to continue implementation of our business plan, to the benefit of our shareholders. I would like to thank Robert, who has been instrumental in the corporation's success for 13 years, and I wish him every happiness with his family, with whom he wishes to spend more time under the circumstances."
"It is with deep regret that I announce my retirement after 13 wonderful years with Videotron and Quebecor," said Dépatie. "I am very proud to have worked at one of the flagships of Quebec Inc. and I thank all the management teams and all the employees I had the pleasure of working with. They all contributed to the Corporation's growth. In Pierre Dion, Quebecor has an exceptional manager and I have no doubt that he will lead the corporation to new heights."
"I am very familiar with Quebecor's business plan, the issues we face and the challenges and opportunities in each of our lines of business,” added Dion (right) 
in the release. “I have been a member of the corporation's executive committee for 10 years and it will be a privilege to lead such a seasoned and experienced team. I wish Robert a happy retirement with his wife Christiane, his daughter Kim and his beloved granddaughter Mila."
Until the Board of Directors of TVA Group names a replacement, Dion will continue to serve as acting president and CEO of TVA Group.
Dion joined TVA Group in 2004 as executive vice president and chief operating officer and was appointed president and CEO in 2005. Under his leadership, TVA strengthened its position as the Quebec market leader and he also spearheaded TVA Group's expansion strategy, which included the creation of eight specialty channels, including the TVA Sports channel, which was launched in September 2011
