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CBC names Tait as president

Canadian pubcaster the CBC/Radio-Canada has hired Catherine Tait to be its president and CEO, replacing Hubert Lacroix.

Catherine Tait

Tait takes on the role for a five-year term and is the first woman to hold the post. She will relocate from New York, where she is currently president of indie prodco Duopoly, to join the CBC in Toronto.

Laying out her plans for the organisation, Tait said the pubcaster needed to become an inclusive storyteller for indigenous peoples, women, newcomers and LGBTQ communities. She also said she wanted to expand the network’s digital reach, making it more widely available to Canadians.

“CBC/Radio-Canada, along with public broadcasters around the world, is under significant competitive pressure,” she said. “In order for public broadcasters to survive and to flourish, we must flourish on the services, news and programming that most connect with our public, not just as one audience, but as many audiences. This is, after all, the power of digital.”

Prior to setting up Duopoly with Liz Manne in 2002, Tait held roles at Telefilm Canada and was president of Salter Street Films (This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Bowling for Columbine).

Her appointment was welcomed by the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA). “Catherine is the first head of CBC/Radio-Canada with deep experience in content production, which is a huge strength that she brings to the role,” said Scott Garvie, chair of the CMPA and senior VP at Canadian prodco Shaftesbury.

“She has also shown throughout her career that she is not afraid to experiment and find new ways of reaching audiences. Her drive to innovate will help keep the public broadcaster relevant and connected to younger generations of Canadians.”

Tait’s appointment was announced by Canadian Heritage minister Mélanie Joly in Ottawa.

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