Industry representatives and CBC insiders are cautiously optimistic about the naming of CBC’s new president, Tony Manera. Most industry insiders believe the Liberal government made a conservative choice appointing Manera. ‘As bureaucratic decisions go, it was a good one, but it was not a bold decision,’ says producer David Ostriker.

Beverly Oda, former CRTC commissioner and head of Canadian Women in Film and Television, says because of ‘the number of uncertainties surrounding the position, in particular the financing of the position and the mandate of cbc, it would have been very difficult to find the perfect fit of what any candidate might hope and aspire for it with what the government would hope and aspire for.’ In the interest of ‘let’s get on with it,’ the government made a cautious choice, says Oda.

At least Manera will be a stabilizing force for the staff, and ‘if there’s another review that has to be done, there won’t be a period of learning what has to happen,’ she adds.

‘Because cbc is such a complex organization, it’s probably a good idea to have someone in it who understands it,’ agrees producer Charles Falzon.

Ivan Fecan, former vice-president of English program at cbc and new senior vice-president at Baton Broadcasting, says Manera is a good choice.

However, he adds: ‘The appointment of Tony was as part of team and the question remains, who will be the new chairman?’

Patrick Watson’s term as chairman expired in November and there is no indication of whether he will be renewed.

Once a chairman is named, says Fecan, ‘that might provide some of the policy answers that people seem to find missing at the moment.’

cbc employees have expressed satisfaction that the government has appointed one of their own.

‘Here’s a guy who knows the cbc and if he wants to make changes he knows what buttons to push,’ says Jerry McIntosh of CBC Newsworld.

One cbc insider, who did not wish to be named, says Manera will be a better manager than than his predecessor, Gerard Veilleux, because he is more pragmatic and knowledgeable about the business.

On the downside, he says, ‘what he is missing is the vision of a broadcaster. In the course of a meeting he’ll quote back to you things that are correct… but it’s all the kind of things people have written in little books that he has read – mission statements of the cbc. But he doesn’t talk like a broadcaster.’

Manera, a nine-year cbc veteran and acting president of the corporation since November, was named to the post of president Feb. 3. Veilleux stepped down Nov. 1. 1993.

Manera has been given a five-year term. In announcing his appointment, Minister of Canadian Heritage Michel Dupuy confirmed the government will not slash cbc’s budget further and plans to re-examine the implementation of cuts announced in April 1993. In a news release, the minister confirmed the government will look for new revenue-generating mechanisms for the cbc.

Manera joined the cbc in 1985 as vice-president of human resources and was appointed vice-president for finance and administration in 1986.