Christa Dickenson named incoming President & CEO of CPAC

Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) has announced that Christa Dickenson will join the specialty channel as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective Sept. 12.

Dickenson, who last week announced her exit from Telefilm Canada, worked behind-the-scenes at CPAC early in her career, before going on to spend 15 years at Rogers, and later serve as President & CEO of Interactive Ontario. She’s been at the helm of Telefilm since 2018.

“The channel’s objective and unfiltered coverage enticed me at the beginning of my career and I am incredibly excited to return nearly three decades later to assume its leadership,” said Dickenson, in a CPAC announcement. “It is with great honour that I rejoin the hard-working and dedicated team at CPAC.”

“The credibility and relationships Christa has established through years of experience working with the federal government will prove invaluable as she leads the organization forward and continues to showcase CPAC as the voice of democracy in Canada,” said Peter Johnson, Chair of the CPAC Board. “We are thrilled that CPAC will benefit from her energy, drive and collaborative spirit.”

Currently owned by Rogers, Shaw, Videotron, Cogeco, EastLink, and Access Communications, CPAC was founded by a consortium of cable companies in 1992 on the principle of preserving an independent editorial voice for Canada’s democratic process. Primarily known for its uninterrupted broadcasts of House of Commons proceedings, the bilingual service remains commercial-free, delivered to an estimated 10 million homes via cable, satellite and online.

As the channel celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, Dickenson will be tasked with working with the not-for-profit’s staff and board on a vision for CPAC for the next decade.

“I believe that the role CPAC plays today is even more critical in bringing the voice of democracy to Canadians. It has never been more relevant in this time of accelerated disinformation,” added Dickenson.

Dickenson succeeds Colette Watson, who was appointed President of Rogers Sports & Media in January, following the departure of Jordan Banks. Watson had served as President of CPAC since 2019.

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