Source : Globe & Mail

Konrad von Finckenstein has never shied away from decisions that spark controversy in Corporate Canada, and industry executives are expecting he will bring that tough, hands-on administrative style to his new role as head of Canada's broadcast and telecom regulator.

He takes over as the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is on the verge of number of key personnel changes, and at a time when it must make important decisions about broadcasting.

Mr. von Finckenstein, a Federal Court judge who was commissioner of the Competition Bureau from 1997 to 2003, was named chairman of the CRTC on Thursday for a five-year term. He will take over from Charles Dalfen, whose tenure ended last month.

"He's pretty hands-on and he's pretty pro-consumer. If that's what the government is looking for, then he's probably a pretty good pick," said Jim Shaw, chief executive officer of Calgary-based Shaw Communications Inc. "We're fine with it, no big worries. You've got to work with whoever's there."

Mr. von Finckenstein's tenure at the helm of the federal Competition Bureau was marked by several high-profile interventions on major files. He also changed how the bureau operated, opening the watchdog to regular reviews of the legislation he administered.

Known as a no-nonsense administrator, he blocked the takeover of ICG Propane Inc. by Superior Propane Inc., and overruled the CRTC when it allowed Astral Media Inc. to buy several radio stations in Quebec from Telemedia Communications Inc.

Mr. von Finckenstein, 61, was unavailable to comment yesterday. He takes the job at a crucial time for the CRTC, which has just completed an extensive review of its telecom policy, including deregulation of the home phone and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) phone services. But several key broadcasting decisions are on the horizon. Two industry-changing takeovers -- the purchase of CHUM Ltd. by CTVglobmedia Inc. and the acquisition of Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. by CanWest Global Communications Corp. -- loom large.

"That's where the emphasis of the commission over the next two or three years will be -- on broadcasting and on cable," said Iain Grant, managing director of SeaBoard Group, a consultancy that specializes in telecom. "The heavy lifting is over on telecom."

The CRTC is likely headed for a makeover as well, with several commissioners approaching the end of their terms. Since the chairman and commissioners each have one vote on regulatory matters, the makeup of the CRTC will have a different look under Mr. von Finckenstein.

"You're going to have up to a half-dozen potential new CRTC commissioners appointed over the course of this calendar year," said Glenn O'Farrell, president of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. "Those individuals will in fact constitute a new quorum at the commission. So today's announcement is the beginning of more to come in the way of CRTC change."

With a file from Catherine McLean

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