Michael Goldbloom, a member of The CJN’s board of directors, has been appointed chair of the board of directors of CBC/Radio Canada.
The appointment, effective immediately, was made on the recommendation of Canadian Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly, who received a list of suggested nominees from an independent advisory committee.
Goldbloom succeeds Rémi Racine, for a five-year term, which is renewable.
He has had a distinguished career in law, publishing and academia, and has worked with numerous community and civic organizations.
READ: GOLDBLOOM MEMOIR RECALLS RICH AND VARIED LIFE
Goldbloom, a former publisher of the Montreal Gazette and the Toronto Star, has been principal and vice-chancellor of Bishop’s University in Lennoxville, Que., since 2008.
“I have been a loyal listener, viewer and now reader of both CBC and Radio-Canada throughout my life,” Goldboom told The CJN. “Our national broadcaster continues to play a critical role in shaping and reflecting our country. It is an honour to be asked to be chair of the board.”
At the same time, Joly announced that Catherine Tait, a veteran television and film executive, was appointed as the new president and chief executive officer of CBC/Radio Canada. She will be the first woman to head the Crown corporation. Tait most recently served as president of Duopoly, a New York-based independent TV, film and digital content company that she co-founded in 2002.
In a statement, CBC/Radio Canada said, “We look forward to working with (the new appointees), as we continue to modernize our services and deepen our connection with Canadians in the digital world.”
Our national broadcaster continues to play a critical role in shaping and reflecting our country. It is an honour to be asked to be chair of the board.
– Michael Goldbloom
Goldbloom said that, “Minister Joly has made an inspired decision in appointing Catherine Tait as the new CEO. I look forward to working with her and the other members of the board.”
The chairmanship is a largely volunteer (he will receive a modest stipend), and Goldbloom is expected to continue in his role at Bishop’s, wrote Robert Hall, chair of the university’s board of governors, in a statement.
Goldbloom is also the co-chair of the board of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada.
A graduate of Harvard University, he earned degrees in civil and common law from McGill University and began his career as a labour lawyer, after writing editorials for the Gazette.
In 2013, he was appointed to the Order of Canada for “establishing several transformative civic organizations in Montreal and for his dedication to building bridges between the city’s English and French-speaking communities.”