GATINEAU – CRTC vice-chair broadcasting Tom Pentefountas announced today he is resigning from the Commission effective November 20th.
His five-year term was due to expire April 3rd, 2016.
“After almost five years at the Commission and as the end of my term nears, it is with mixed emotions that I must announce to you today that I will be leaving the Commission on November 20,” he wrote in an e-mail to CRTC staffers this afternoon. (He is pictured here with his predecessor as vice-chair broadcasting, Michel Arpin.)
“I would like to thank each and every one of you for this great journey, but the time has come for my young family and I to start the next chapter in our lives.”
“I was overwhelmed with the professionalism and dedication of staff and continue to marvel at your sense of calling for the work you do. It has inspired and affected my own sense of work ethic – and that I will take with me as I go forward along with many fond memories,” he continued.
“Simply put, you honored me with your knowledge, professionalism and good manners. You make me and my fellow Commissioners look good. With your tireless support I have always tried to move the yardstick forward to create an environment where Canadian creators and entrepreneurs can shine on the global stage. That continues to be my passion,” he wrote.
One bit of fallout from his resignation is that the CRTC has had to postpone its hearing into the framework for French-language vocal music applicable to French-language commercial radio. With Pentefountas out, there are only two Francophone commissioners left, Yves Dupras and chairman Jean-Pierre Blais. Not enough for a French language panel.
It’s not known yet where Pentefountas might be headed (and federal regulations prevent him from taking a job in the industry where he would be expected to lobby government), but as a Conservative appointee in 2011, it was unlikely he would have been re-appointed as a commissioner under the new Liberal government.
Prior to his Commission gig, Pentefountas was a lawyer with Montreal’s Silver Sandiford and he also hosted a radio show on CKDG-FM Montreal, providing his expertise on human rights, criminal law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He was also a regular contributor to the “Gang of Four” on CJAD Montreal.
