Who's the Richie Rich Kid Behind Fox News North?

Update: Sun TV News' chief executive officer Pierre Karl Peladeau has announced that the station would be dropping its request for special treatment. Read our response here (press release).

Quebecor, the massive media conglomerate that produces Sun TV News, is asking the CRTC to force cable and satellite broadcasters to carry the station (aka "Mandatory Access").

RichieRich_SpeechBubble Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and CEO of Quebecor, has been revealed as the real mastermind behind Sun TV (Fox News North). But who is he? And why does he think he deserves special treatment from the CRTC?

Pierre's father founded Quebecor Inc., and as soon as he finished school Pierre was pulled aboard his father's management team. It wasn't long before the young Pierre was appointed President.

After a lifetime of getting what he wants - one of Canada's biggest media conglomerates at his command - it's not surprising that Richie Rich Pierre thinks he deserves special treatment to make his Quebecor megaphone even louder.
RichieRich

Your voice counts. We need to tell the CRTC that Richie Rich Pierre doesn't need any more special privileges. You're here, now get your comments on the record:

Subject: Resist political pressure to green light Sun TV

Dear Commissioners:
 
In July, the CRTC denied Quebecor's bid to obtain a "must-carry" Category 1 licence for its Sun TV News channel that would have guaranteed distribution by all cable and satellite firms. 
 
The CRTC has said it will not accept any applications for specialty services to be given special access rights until October 2011, and will also not accept any applications for specialty services to be given mandatory basic carriage until June 2012. 
 
Yet Quebecor is now applying for special treatment: It wants three years of mandatory access rights for Sun TV News. Then, says Quebecor, it will agree to be treated like any other TV service that has to negotiate carriage with cable and satellite distributors.
 
I am aware of reports that Prime Minister Stephen Harper, whose former aide is head of Sun TV News, is pressuring the CRTC’s chair to resign from his post. 
 
Commissioners, I urge you to stand up as an independent public institution and refuse to be pressured by industry or government. Canadians rely on the CRTC to work for us, not special interests or political parties.
 
Please rebuff any form of political interference and do not give Sun TV News special treatment. 
 
I OPPOSE Quebecor’s application. 
 
I would like my comment added to the public file in this proceeding (2010-649, item 1), and understand that my name and address will not be kept confidential by you. A copy of my intervention is being sent to the applicant. I do not want to appear at the public hearing.
 
Although I am using an automated system to express my concern, I ask that my submission be granted the same weight as that of any other party.
 
Sincerely,

CRTC

Fax:(819) 994-0218

cc: Prime Minister Stephen Harper

cc: Quebecor

cc: OpenMedia

cc: Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff

cc: NDP Leader Jack Layton

cc: Green Party Leader Elizabeth May

cc: BQ Leader Gilles Duceppe

Who's the Richie Rich Kid Behind Fox News North?

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