The feud between the federal broadcast regulator and Shaw Communications boiled over yesterday after the outspoken chief executive of the Calgary-based cable and satellite giant thumbed his nose at public hearings on the future of television by refusing to show up.
Jim Shaw’s no-show follows a strongly worded letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper blasting the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission for showing “no vision” during these proceedings.
CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein chastised Shaw’s team, saying their boss owed him the “courtesy” of turning up in person.
“I’m somewhat disappointed in not seeing Mr. Shaw here given his vociferous views on these hearings. Since we have been subject to his criticisms I would have appreciated the opportunity to deal with him on some of these issues one-on-one.”