Prime Minister announces New President of the CBC

The appointment is effective November 15, 1999.

A biographical note is attached.

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555

Robert Rabinovitch has enjoyed outstanding success in the private sector, and has served with distinction in numerous senior positions in the Government of Canada - particularly in the area of communications and broadcast policy development.

From 1982-85, Mr. Rabinovitch served as Deputy Minister of Communications, and as Director General, Social Policy & (Broadcasting) Programs Branch, Department of Communications from 1974-76. In 1995, he served as a member of the Government of Canada Policy Review Panel for Direct-to-Home Satellite Broadcasting. Mr. Rabinovitch has also served as Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet for Planning and as Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet for Priorities and Planning.

Immediately prior to this appointment, Mr. Rabinovitch was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Claridge Inc. He has also served on the boards of Cineplex Odeon Corporation, and NetStar Communications, and as a Special Advisor to the boards of MaxLink Communications and Loews Cineplex.

Mr. Rabinovitch has also been active in cultural and philanthropic endeavours, including: the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO), the CRB Foundation, the Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Family Foundation, the Canadian Film Centre, and the Nunavut Trust Investment Advisory Committee. He is Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Canadian Jewish Congress (Quebec). In July 1999, Mr. Rabinovitch was appointed Chair of the Board of Governors of McGill University

Mr. Rabinovitch is a graduate of McGill University and the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Economics and Finance.

Mr. Rabinovitch is married to Cecil Rabinovitch. They have a daughter who attends McGill University and a son who attends the London School of Economics.