Source : The Gazette

Frulla's office dismisses rumours search is on for a replacement

The official responsible for broadcasting at the Canadian Radio-television
and Telecommunications Commission is getting a contract extension.

Andree Wylie's mandate as vice-chairperson for broadcasting was supposed to
expire today, but she was offered a one-year extension at the end of last week.

Heritage Minister Liza Frulla's office dismissed rumours that it was searching for a replacement in recent weeks following the CRTC's controversial decisions over the summer to revoke the licence of Quebec City radio station CHOI-FM, and to block Italian television channel RAI International.

"I haven't heard those rumours," Frulla's spokesperson, Donald Boulanger,
said. "All I know is that she was renewed for a year."

Boulanger later said Wylie was not offered a multi-year extension because it
was her third contract renewal.

He said the government wanted the CRTC to have more flexibility to renew its
personnel.

"The government believes it's important that you not always have the same
people at the CRTC for 15 years," he said.

Wylie, a lawyer, was first named as a full-time CRTC commissioner in March
1995. She has held her current position since September 1998.

© The Gazette