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Ottawa, October 4, 1999 - Programming guru Arthur Weinthal, radio on-air legend Jacques Proulx, and the late Phyllis Switzer, one of Canada's first female broadcast executives, are among nine broadcast pioneers, achievers and performers to be inducted into the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame this fall.

The newest members will be honoured at a November 1st luncheon ceremony, during Broadcasting `99, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' (CAB) convention in Montreal.

Their names will be inscribed in bronze on the Hall of Fame plaque at CAB headquarters in Ottawa. Inductees, or their descendants, will receive personalized plaques to further commemorate the occasion.

Created in 1982, the Broadcast Hall of Fame recognizes Canadians in private broadcasting or related industries who have “achieved outstanding success in helping raise industry standards from a material or humanitarian standpoint.”

The nine new members bring membership to 157. Candidates are nominated annually by Canada's five private regional broadcasting associations and the CAB's executive committee.

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For information contact:

Susan Tolusso
Director, Communications
(613) 233-4035 ext. 331
(stolusso@cab-acr.ca)

1999 Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame inductees

Walter J. Blackburn (posthumously) – One of Canada's great media pioneers and entrepreneurs, the late Walter Blackburn followed his grandfather and father into the family media business. In 1936, Walter became the youngest publisher of a daily newspaper in Canada, when he took over the reins of the family empire, which consisted of the London Free Press, and CFPL, London. In 1948, he launched CFPL-FM, and in 1953 CFPL-TV came on the air. He worked tirelessly to convince his newspaper associates to set up the Broadcast News service for broadcasters, serving on its board for nearly 20 years. He was a strong advocate for and defender of the right of newspapers to own broadcasting facilities in the same cities. In 1971, Blackburn expanded again to include CKNX-AM-FM-TV Wingham. Walter continued to be active until 1982 when he was diagnosed with cancer. Walter Blackburn's 47-year career as head of Blackburn enterprise was heralded by all as “A Man for all Media”.

Ian Clark (posthumously) – Clark began his broadcast career in the early 1930s at CKFC, Vancouver. In 1940, he joined CFJC Kamloops. In 1957, Ian launched CFCR-TV, Kamloops, (now CFJC-TV), the first small market television station in Canada. He followed that milestone with the installation of numerous rebroadcasting transmitters in the interior of British Columbia, resulting in a network of over 35 rebroadcasting stations. His curiosity and enthusiasm for Frequency Modulation broadcasting resulted in his launch of CFFM-FM Kamloops (now CIFM-FM), the first privately owned FM radio network with rebroadcasting stations established throughout south central British Columbia. Chosen as Citizen of the Year in Kamloops in 1971, Clark was a strong and active community supporter. Truly an icon in Canadian broadcasting, in 1986, he donated his prize collection of radio artifacts to the community.

Stuart Craig, Chairman and CEO, Craig Broadcast Systems, began his successful broadcasting career in the early 1950s. His pioneering spirit gave the smallest city in Canada, Brandon, Manitoba, CKX-TV. When CKX-TV went on air, Craig was the station's first camera operator. In the early 1970s, Craig officially launched Craig Broadcast Systems. Stuart Craig's foresight and perseverance lead him to expand his company with its push west, moving into Portage La Prairie, then Winnipeg, and eventually Alberta. In the early 1980s, Craig saw the potential of digital cable services, and launched Skycable in southern Manitoba. Despite his success, Craig remains a hard working, generous member of the community, strongly committed to his roots in Brandon.

James (Jamie) MacLeod (posthumously) - An Honorary Life Member and former President of the Atlantic Association of Broadcasters, MacLeod started his career at CHNS, Bridgewater, in 1937. During the Second World War, he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Spitfire fighter pilot. Stationed overseas, he was the youngest pilot on his squadron. After the war, he returned to CHNS until 1949, when he went to CKBW, Bridgewater, as Program Director. In 1974 he became the station's majority shareholder, President of Acadia Broadcasting and General Manager of CKBW. In 1976, under MacLeod's guidance, CKBW was one of the first stations in Canada to become computerized. He is also credited with being instrumental in setting up the regional radio sales organization, Group One Atlantic. He retired in 1989 when the station was sold to New Brunswick Broadcasting. Among his many community contributions, he served as President of the Bridgewater Chamber of Commerce and was a founding member and Secretary-Treasurer of the Bridgewater Development Commission. MacLeod received the Centennial Medal in 1967 for his many contributions to broadcasting in Nova Scotia.

CKAC morning legend, Jacques Proulx, began his career with one goal in mind -- to become a radio announcer. He first appeared on radio in 1960 when he joined CKBL, Matane. Within six months of his on-air arrival, the local press named him the most popular radio announcer. In 1961, he moved on to Quebec City where, in spite of heavy competition, he snatched the lion's share of the ratings. This feat earned him the Radio-Monde award in 1962. He returned to his native Montreal in 1963 to co-host a morning show with Réal Giguère on CKAC and was given his own afternoon show in 1966. Proulx went on to become CKAC's morning man in 1968 and set a 19-year ratings record until his retirement in 1987. One of the most gifted communicators in radio history, Proulx had a significant influence on Montrealers. He was respected by his listeners for his ability to deliver high quality content and to relate to his audience. His standards of excellence for radio revitalised the industry as a whole. Deeply committed to the community, he continues to be involved in a number of charitable activities, which benefit children, the disabled and research into various diseases such as the MS Society, the Red Cross and the Club Optimiste. He can still be heard on CKAC and the Radiomédia network each Sunday morning as the host of a musical programme featuring songs of yesteryear.

F. Baxter Ricard (posthumously) – An industry leader and builder, Ricard started Sudbury Broadcasting in 1947, operating CHNO, the first bilingual radio station outside of Quebec. In 1957 he launched CFBR, Sudbury, as a French AM station and converted CHNO to an English station. In 1972, he started Northern Cable, a cable television service for northern Ontario.

Dr. Ricard was instrumental in delivering programming services in both official languages through cable and broadcasting networks in Northern Ontario specifically to remote areas not served by microwave. In 1980 Ricard acquired TV stations in Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins and the Ottawa Valley creating Mid-Canada Communications. Expanding his radio holdings throughout Ontario in 1985, he created Mid-Canada Radio. Throughout his life Baxter Ricard served his community by actively participating on hospital, educational and institutional boards and service clubs. In 1980 he received the Central Canada Broadcasters' Association's “Howard Caine Public Service Memorial Award”. In 1987 his service to the broadcasting industry was recognized when he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by Laurentian University, and in 1990, the Northern Ontario Business Awards named him “Entrepreneur of the Year”.

Phyllis Switzer (posthumously) - One of the first female industry visionaries, she was a mentor and role model to all Canadian women in broadcasting and film who followed in her footsteps. Switzer helped launch two major Canadian broadcast institutions: Citytv in 1972, and First Choice Television in 1983. Phyllis began her career as a print journalist, moving to television in the late 1960's as the first national information officer for the Canadian Cable Television Association. In 1971, convinced a need existed for a local television station in Toronto, she applied for a local, independent television licence for Toronto. With partners in place, Switzer was granted a television licence in her name. Switzer became senior vice-president of programming and community relations, and a member of the board of directors for Citytv, Toronto. Between 1973 and 1982, Switzer did “everything but engineering and accounting” at the station. Moving to First Choice Television in 1982 as senior vice-president of programming, Switzer was instrumental in launching Canada's first national pay-tv movie channel. Her expertise was called upon once again in the development of yet a third major start up in Canadian broadcast history. In 1984 she was appointed managing director of CTV's Host Broadcast Unit for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympic Games.

Peter Warren – Named the Western Association of Broadcasters `Broadcaster of the Year' in 1997, he currently hosts a coast-to-coast open line program on the WIC Network. Warren's career has taken him to Hong Kong, Britain, Mexico, and the U.S. Within Canada, he's graced the airwaves from coast to coast with stops in Calgary, Toronto, and Winnipeg along the way. Host of “The Action Line” on CJOB Winnipeg from 1971 to 1998, Peter was the voice of Winnipeg and Southern Manitoba. As an ombudsman, an arbitrator, an antagonist and a confidant, he has challenged the leaders and the newsmakers, and brought the issues before the public. Throughout his 28 year career in Winnipeg, Warren has touched many lives. From raising over $300,000 for flood victims to ensuring seniors had adequate food when the Storm of the Century hit Winnipeg. Warren's other honours include the Commemorative Medal on the 125^th Anniversary of Confederation, as well as being a member of the CAB Quarter Century Club.

Arthur Weinthal - One of Canada's most respected programming gurus, Weinthal has made a significant contribution to television production in Canada. Through his expertise, guidance and dedication, Weinthal has greatly contributed to the high quality and quantity of Canadian programming on television screens not only in Canada, but around the globe. He started his professional career in radio as a news editor in 1953. In 1962 he joined the CTV Television Network and in 1966 became Program Director. Appointed Vice-President and Director of Entertainment Programming in 1973, and then Vice-President Programming in 1994, he was responsible for the development and supervision of all produced programs and co-productions, notably for such ground-breaking Canadian programs as Due South, and E.N.G. Weinthal left CTV in 1998 after 36 years with the network, to start his own consultant business. Over the years, Weinthal has given his boundless energy and enthusiasm to numerous organizations, such as the Children's Broadcast Institute, Broadcast Executives Society, and the Banff Television Festival to name a few. In 1994, Weinthal was the recipient of CFTPA's Jack Chisholm Award for lifetime achievement, and in 1997, the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television's Academy Achievement Award.