OTTAWA, February 25, 2005 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women Liza Frulla today announced the appointment of Richard DeLand French, of Montreal, Quebec, as a full-time member designated Vice-Chairperson of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), and the appointment of Rita A. P. Cugini, of Toronto, Ontario, as full-time member and representative of the Ontario region of the CRTC."We are fortunate that such eminently qualified and dedicated individuals as Mr. French and Ms. Cugini have accepted this challenge," said Minister Frulla. "I am confident that their invaluable experience will greatly benefit the CRTC."A graduate of the University of British Columbia (B.Sc.) and of the University of Oxford (Ph.D.), Mr. French served as Vice-President and Dean at the Bombardier Transportation Leadership Centre in Berlin, Germany from 2002 to 2003 and, as President and CEO of Tata Communications Ltd., in Hyderabad, India from 1996 to 1999. In addition, Mr. French worked in senior management positions at Bell Canada from 1989 to1995.Mr. French was a Member of the National Assembly of Quebec from 1981 to 1989, and served as Minister of Communications from 1985 to 1988. In 1988, he also served as Minister responsible for Technology and Minister of Supply and Services. Ms. Cugini has been associated with Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. since 1996From 1993 to 1996, Ms. Cugini was Vice-President and Station Manager for Telelatino Network Inc. and served as the station's Program Director from 1983 to 1989. She was Director of Diversity Programming at CFMT-TV from 1989 to 1993.Ms. Cugini has extensive experience serving as a Member of the Board for both Cable in the Classroom and the CAB Joint Societal Issues Committee.Created in 1968, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is an independent public authority vested with the authority to regulate and supervise, in the public interest, all aspects of the Canadian broadcasting system, as well as the telecommunications services providers and common carriers that come under federal jurisdiction.Information:Jean-Philippe CôtéDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women(819) 997-7788
