OTTAWA — Bram Abramson is the CRTC’s next commissioner representing Ontario, Canadian Heritage announced today.
The lawyer with over 20 years of experience in the communications and technology industries will complete the nine-person commission when he takes his position on February 15 for a five-year term. The vacancy was created by the exit of Monique Lafontaine.
“Bram Abramson’s extensive experience in law and telecommunications will be a great asset in his role as CRTC Ontario Regional Commissioner,” Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez said in a press release. “The CRTC’s regional commissioners ensure that the tribunal’s scope encompasses the entire country, thereby enabling Canadians access to an effective and reliable communications system from coast to coast to coast.”
Andy Kaplan-Myrth, TekSavvy’s vice president of regulatory and carrier affairs, said “today’s appointment reflects the depth of Commissioner Abramson’s policy expertise and experience in Canada’s telecom industry, where he acted for a wide range of private sector clients.”
The former chief legal and regulatory officer for TekSavvy between 2014 and 2017, Abramson was a frequent commentator on CRTC decisions over the years. He was previously a principal at public policy firm 32M in Toronto from 2019 to 2023 and general counsel for a blockchain provider Decentral Inc. in 2018 and 2019.
He was also a technology and communications law associate in private practice at McCarthy Tetrault between 2008 and 2014. From 2002 to 2004, he was a senior financial analyst for the CRTC.
He also served on industry boards and advisory committees, including director on complaints watchdog the Commission for Complaints for Telecom/television Services (CCTS) and the Canadian Internet Registration Authority’s Community Investment Review Committee. He is currently a trustee at the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN).
Heritage only recently filled the vacancies of other executives on the regulator, including adding chair Vicky Eatrides and vice chair of telecommunications Adam Scott, and extending vice chair of broadcasting Alicia Barin.
Photo via Nokia
