Evidence of meeting #48 for Canadian Heritage in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was crtc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
March 23rd, 2011 / 4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Scott Armstrong Conservative Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS
Thank you for being here, Mr. Pentefountas.
4:20 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
Thank you for having me.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Scott Armstrong Conservative Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS
You've been with the CRTC a short time.
4:20 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
I begin employment on April 4.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Scott Armstrong Conservative Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS
Right. So in the time since you've heard about your appointment, what have you done to prepare yourself to go into this? Have you worked very hard—I'm sure you have—to prepare yourself for this position?
4:20 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
I can tell you that I've been at the office in Gatineau on a regular basis since my nomination, easily three or four days a week, including this week, and I will continue to do so up until April 4.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Scott Armstrong Conservative Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS
In what you have learned so far about this position, have you found that your background is going to be very advantageous in helping you to engage in your role at the CRTC?
4:20 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
I think so. I think we're capable, we're qualified, and we can't wait to serve.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Scott Armstrong Conservative Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS
In your background, you worked for or were involved in CKDG 105.1 FM. Can you explain your involvement and what you did in that organization?
4:20 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
I was a regular guest at CKDG, speaking on legal issues. I was also a regular guest at CJAD on The Next Gang of Four. I had a number of appearances there. We talked about the issues of the day.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Scott Armstrong Conservative Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS
So you would comment particularly, bring a legal expertise and background—
4:20 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
Not on CJAD. That would be more general questions pertaining to current events. The CKDG appearances were more on legal questions.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Scott Armstrong Conservative Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS
Looking at your résumé, I see you have a very diverse background with a lot of activities. I'm a former party president myself, and I know the role one has is very diverse and one has to work with a whole different group of people coming from different backgrounds: fund-raisers, candidates' staff, policy developers. That position brings a wealth of knowledge.
In all these positions you've had before, did you ever have to go through a hiring process where you were hiring people yourself? Were you active in hiring people?
4:20 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
Yes, I have hired people. I've been active in hiring people.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Scott Armstrong Conservative Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS
When you did that, when you were actually in charge of hiring people, did you set a process to do that, publicize that process, and take people through a set process before you actually hired them?
4:20 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
Yes, most certainly.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Scott Armstrong Conservative Cumberland—Colchester—Musquodoboit Valley, NS
When you applied for this process, did you find it was a process that was well done, well executed, and something you would have been familiar with as somebody who had hired people before?
4:20 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
Most certainly.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
Thank you, Mr. Armstrong. That will be the last question for today on this panel.
Mr. Pentefountas, you can respond to that.
4:20 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
Yes, most certainly. But you know, in my experience, we people who get nominated don't know what's happening behind the curtain and behind the scenes. We don't know what the thinking is. We don't ever know why they settled on this candidacy as opposed to another candidacy. All we do is put ourselves forward to serve, and if we're so chosen, great.
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
Thank you very much, Mr. Armstrong.
Mr. Pentefountas, I want to thank you for coming to this committee. I know that this may be your first time in front of a parliamentary committee.
4:25 p.m.
Vice-Chair (Appointee), Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
Yes. Thank you.
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
We graciously accept your testimony. Thank you for your appearance here.
We are going to adjourn shortly, because the bells are ringing.
Madame Lavallée has a question.
4:25 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
It has to do with the agenda. I handed you a motion and would like to know at what point today we can discuss it.