OTTAWA – Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge announced Tuesday the appointment of former Videotron executive Stephanie Paquette to the seat of regional commissioner of Quebec for the CRTC.
The lawyer with nearly 30 years of experience in the media industry will begin a five-year term starting November 23 — in the middle of the first week of the commission’s three-week hearing on the implementation of the Online Streaming Act.
Paquette has been Videotron’s senior director of content and strategic partnerships for the past six years and director of that area for seven years before that. That means she was responsible for acquisition and multiplatform distribution of television channels and entertainment applications for Quebecor’s telecom wing.
“This has enabled her to develop a unique view of and in-depth expertise in the industry,” according to a Heritage press release. “Ms. Paquette has been a member of CTAM Canada’s Board of Directors since November 2022.”
Before that stint, she was with CBC/Radio-Canada for nearly 12 years, first as legal advisor in the late 90s, climbing to director of regulatory affairs and radio strategic planning, moving to internet sector manager, and then becoming internet director until she moved on in 2008 to Salambo Productions as director of business relations until 2010, when she joined Videotron.
“With her extensive experience in private and public broadcasting, the digital media sector and law, Stéphanie Paquette will be a great asset to the Commission,” said St-Onge in a release. “Stéphanie Paquette’s appointment as the CRTC’s Quebec Regional Commissioner will ensure the Commission has all the different expertise and perspectives it needs at the table. The CRTC’s regional commissioners together help the tribunal connect with Canadians across the entire country as we work toward an effective, innovative and reliable communications system for all.”
Paquette started her legal career in private practice as a law graduate of the University of Montreal.
She has been a member of CTAM Canada’s board of directors since November 2022.
