CBC/Radio-Canada announces departure of Kirstine Stewart

OTTAWA, April 29, 2013 /CNW/ - Kirstine Stewart, Executive Vice President English Services, has accepted a position with San Francisco-based, Twitter Inc. and is leaving CBC/Radio-Canada immediately.

"It is a fact of life in a competitive, creative business that when you have great people, others will try to entice them away with big opportunities," said Hubert T. Lacroix, President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada. "Luckily, Kirstine's team is deep in the great people line and we'll be able to go forward without a hitch."

"Kirstine really understands the role of the public broadcaster and has been a fierce proponent of its distinctive place. She has been instrumental in establishing CBC as a modern public broadcaster and I want to thank her for all she has done to put us in a place of strength from which to renew ourselves.  For me, the achievement that stands-out most in her seven years with CBC/Radio-Canada, is the programming team we now have in place at CBC Television and the schedule they have managed to put on air, despite some tough financial times," continued Lacroix.

"If it was going to happen, this is, in fact, a good time at CBC for it to happen. It is a time of renewal. Hockey is back with a bang. The CRTC hearings into the renewal of our licenses are complete and when the decision comes down, we'll be starting a new phase. That new phase will include the Olympics, the PanAm Games, the Brazil World Cup. We are also having great success in our CBC prime time television schedule, in new digital services like CBCMusic and our local digital offering, and, of course, the continued, remarkable strength of CBC Radio," concluded Lacroix.

"I've had some of the happiest moments in my life at the CBC, and I've been honoured to represent such an important name to Canadians," said Stewart. "I'm proud of what we've done together these past 7 years. I will miss the CBC family dearly, but I know that even when one leaves the CBC, the CBC never really leaves you. It's in my DNA and I'm all the better for it."

A recruitment process will be launched immediately. In the meantime, Kirstine's responsibilities will be taken up on an interim basis by Neil McEneaney, General Manager, Finance and Strategy.

About CBC/Radio-Canada

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages.

SOURCE: CBC/RADIO-CANADA

For further information:

Angus McKinnon
CBC/Radio-Canada
Tel.: [phone]
Cell: 613-296-1057
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