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July 8, 2016 5:34 pm  #1


CRTC faces allegations of racism at highest ranks

[Via National Post]

Canada’s broadcast and telecom regulator is facing accusations of “underlying racism and bigotry at the highest levels” in the latest legal action against the regulator by one of its former officials.

Court documents filed this week by Raj Shoan, fired last month as Ontario commissioner of the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, allege that Linda Vennard, commissioner for Alberta and the Northwest Territories, made racist comments and harassed her assistant. The filings also accuse Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais of a “campaign of misinformation” against Shoan and suggest Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly, whose department oversees the CRTC, disregarded these concerns.

None of the allegations has been proven in court. But they suggest the CRTC’s troubles amount to more than the escalating conflict between Shoan and Blais. They also raise questions among industry players over whether the reportedly rotten work environment is detracting from the CRTC’s ambitious agenda to overhaul policy for the Internet age — decisions that impact billions of dollars in infrastructure spending and every Canadian who uses a phone, TV or the Internet.

“The CRTC is a quasi-judicial body and needs to operate beyond reproach. As a Canadian, I would want assurances that allegations such as these have been thoroughly and appropriately investigated,” telecom consultant Mark Goldberg said.

Others who spoke on background said the ongoing legal battles make for a toxic negative workplace for staff dealing a heavy workload including decisions related to wholesale high-speed Internet pricing and net neutrality.

The conflict over Blais’ leadership style dates back to shortly after Shoan was hired in 2013, according to court documents. Shoan has since filed three legal challenges against the CRTC that contend Blais has overstepped his authority in some way.

One looks to overturn an investigation that found Shoan harassed a staffer over email. Shoan disputes the findings. At the June 21 hearing, the judge called Blais’ role in the investigation “quite troubling.”

But three days later – before the judge made a ruling (a decision is expected in September) – cabinet terminated Shoan citing actions that were “fundamentally incompatible” with his role, including the harassment investigation and negative comments about the CRTC on Twitter.

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Madness takes its toll.  Please have exact change.
 
 

July 8, 2016 7:55 pm  #2


Re: CRTC faces allegations of racism at highest ranks

This has nothing to do with the CRTC, but what a strange coincidence this story should surface on the same day another bizarre legal challenge involving a Canadian broadcaster makes news, this time in Manitoba. In that case, an entire city council has sued a radio outlet alleging the GM is using the airwaves to carry out a personal vendetta. 

"The statement of claim ...says the radio station...had T-shirts made and distributed to the public with phrases such as "Bullying Rate Payers," "Hiring Best Friends" and "Breaking the Law" on them."

Then there's the allegation about a fake Facebook page featuring "two horses in sexually explicit positions."

I'm not sure what format this station is (Wikipedia calls it "adult contemporary and country") but I doubt anything on the air there is as interesting as what's going on behind the scenes.

Municipal councillors sue radio station alleging "malice"

 

July 9, 2016 4:35 pm  #3


Re: CRTC faces allegations of racism at highest ranks

Several of 'their' 'decisions' over the years have struck as me being either racially motivated or, at the very least, made on behalf, of those pushing a racist's agenda.

This is in NO WAY a surprise.

 

September 4, 2016 10:51 am  #4


Re: CRTC faces allegations of racism at highest ranks

And here's how the story ends.

At least for now. 

Harassment finding against ex-CRTC commissioner nixed due to 'witch hunt'

Can we just disband this outdated dinosaur already and start over?