OTTAWA – On International Woman’s Day, the Canadian Women in Communications honored their award winners and took the wrapper off a brand new look (right) at its annual gala here in Ottawa Wednesday evening.
The evening was the first industry engagement and speaking appearance for new Heritage Minister Bev Oda and new Industry Minister Maxime Bernier and the event drew its usual who’s who of the communications industry.
A former CWC board chair, Minister Oda, before presenting the Trailblazer Award to Sasktel’s Sandy Larson, lauded the CWC’s efforts in promoting leadership among women in the market in Canada and the organization’s push to get more women on the boards of directors of large companies.
Bernier told the audience that the new government will be "focused on efficient economic regulation," and that he was looking forward to the recommendations coming from the Telecom Policy Review report, which he said would be out this month sometime. "I’m looking forward to hearing your voices on the panel’s recommendations," he said.
(Last year, the former Liberal government convened a three-man team to travel across the country, gather information and make telecom policy suggestions. The report is due any day now.)
New CWC board chair Pam Dinsmore, v-p regulatory at Rogers Cable, poked fun at the outnumbered gender in the audience quoting Margaret Thatcher in saying: "If you want things said, ask a man. If you want things done, ask a woman," said Dinsmore, who added later, ‘If you want to win a gold medal in hockey, ask a woman."
Woman of the year Sarah Crawford, vice-president of public affairs at CHUM, received a standing ovation and gave an eloquent speech referencing the late company founder Allan Waters, "who we all miss," she said.
Her so-called "soft" duties as head of public affairs, which includes community involvement and diversity and other duties, have considerable value, Crawford said. "Intangibles have measurable benefits," she said. "Economics are important but social cohesion is just as vital."
CWC board chair Pam Dinsmore (Rogers) and Alison Wood of Alliance Atlantis.
Left to right: Michael McEwen (CDTV), Len Cochrane (Teletoon) and former CCTA EVP Harris Boyd.
CWC president Stephanie MacKendrick.
Canadian Heritage and Status of Women Minister Bev Oda.
Ron Cohen (CBSC) and Phyllis Yaffe, CEO of CWC Employer of the year, Alliance Atlantis.
