Prime Minister Announces Lieutenant-Governor Appointment

The appointment takes effect in February.

Biographical information is attached.

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555

A life-long Manitoban, Peter Liba is a senior executive in Canadian broadcasting, with a long and distinguished record of community commitment and service.

Mr. Liba began his professional career in print journalism with The Portage La Prairie Daily Graphic and The Neepawa Press. In 1960, he joined The Winnipeg Tribune, rising to the post of City Editor in 1967.

In 1974, Mr. Liba began a highly successful association with the CanWest Group of Companies, of which he was one of the founding shareholders. He served as President and CEO of CKND Television in Manitoba and SaskWest Television in Saskatchewan. In 1993, he became Executive Vice-President of CanWest Global Communications. In 1997, he assumed a part-time role as Executive Director, Corporate Affairs. His achievements in broadcasting were acknowledged by his peers in 1998 with his induction into the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame.

Mr. Liba's record of business success is matched by his involvement in numerous charitable and community organizations. He has been Director since 1987 of the St. Boniface General Hospital, and Chairman of the Hospital Board since 1992. He was Founding Chairman of the Variety Club Telethon in Manitoba. He has also served as Chairman and Director of the Winnipeg Convention Centre and as a Director of The Manitoba Heart Foundation, The Canadian Council of Christians and Jews (Prairie Region) and Winnipeg's Refugee Assistance Committee. He has also held elected office as a school trustee.

Mr. Liba was awarded the Canada 125th Medal in 1992 and was made a Member of the Order of Canada (C.M.) in 1984.

Mr. Liba was born in Winnipeg in 1940. He is married to Shirley Ann Collett. They have three grown children - Jennifer, Jeffrey and Christopher.