TORONTO – Former Astral Television CEO Lisa De Wilde is returning to broadcasting as CEO of TVOntario, the provincial government announced Thursday.
The highly-regarded broadcaster left Astral in 2001 after eight years there and has been out of broadcasting since, and according to sources, was a key federal Liberal Party fundraiser during the last election. Prior to Astral, de Wilde worked at the CRTC as well as for law firm Heenan Blaikie and has been active with the Toronto International Film Festival.
De Wilde replaces Isabel Bassett, who leaves TVO after six years as chair and CEO.
Those two jobs have now been split as independent producer Peter O’Brian has been nominated by provincial cabinet as chairman of the board of directors, subject to review by the Standing Committee on Government Agencies. O’Brian’s films have won 19 Genie Awards. In 1977, he founded Independent Pictures Inc. In the early 1990s he ran the Canadian Film Centre as Executive Director for its first three years and then became a producer-in-residence.
The leadership changes are not the only ones for the provincial public broadcaster. “The McGuinty government is strengthening the role of the Ontario Educational Communications Authority (TVO/TFO/ILC) in supporting higher student achievement by moving responsibility for the organization from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to the Ministry of Education,” says today’s press release from Education Minister Gerard Kennedy.
“The strategic direction of TVOntario will be aligned with our education priorities to take advantage of the full range of media to support education," he said. "In a world dominated by the Internet and technologies that didn’t exist five years ago, we need to have a coherent technology policy, and incorporating TVOntario into the education agenda is one step in that direction."
The new leadership has also been told to conduct an internal review of the organization to ensure that the government is getting full value for its $58.8 million funding of TVOntario and to ensure that its activities align with the government’s education priorities and becomes as relevant as possible to all Ontarians.
Kennedy also thanked Isabel Bassett, for her significant contribution for the past six years. "Isabel’s experience, drive and commitment have been a positive influence on the organization," Kennedy said. "TVOntario is a tremendous asset for this province and has benefited a great deal from her leadership."
Bassett has agreed to work with the government throughout the transition period, expected to be completed over the next four to six weeks.
