Bertrand’s out at Radio-Quebec

the Quebec government has forced the resignation of Radio-Quebec president and director general Francoise Bertrand.

Raymond Brasseur, former president of Groupe Techner, Tele-Metropole’s disbanded production and production service operation, has been appointed to the post.

Bertrand has refused to comment on the firing, restricting remarks to a hastily prepared, and emotional, letter to staff dated Jan. 20.

In Radio-Quebec’s recently released 1993/94 annual report, total revenues for the period stood at $86.8 million, including $64.7 million in government subsidies, frozen since the late 1980s, and $22.1 million in commercial revenues, program sales and sponsorships, a sizable increase over the previous year.

Investment in independent productions stood at $12.1 million last year.

TQS chops two at the top

In a surprise half-page memo to Television Quatre Saisons staff Jan. 19, CFCF Broadcast Group president and ceo Charles Belanger announced Jean Fortier, tqs president and ceo, and Francois Laganiere, vice-president, sales and marketing, had left the company.

Belanger told staff the departures were part of a ‘realignment of objectives (and a) renewed direction’ in key sectors.

Fortier joined tqs from Cogeco Radio-Television three years ago with a promise of a 20-share audience for the network. But the lack of nhl hockey and a weak lineup of new shows and teleromans in the new season have stalled the French-track network in the 14-share range.

Several days prior to Belanger’s announcement, CFCF Inc. president and ceo Adrian Pouliot unveiled a major corporate shuffle naming Belanger president and ceo of CFCF Broadcast Group, the operations entity for the company’s broadcast-related activities; Raynald Doin as president and ceo of the Cable TV Group; and Guy R. Beauchamp as president and coo of CF Cable TV.

Gulkin wins his case

Harry Gulkin has rejoined sogic as senior project director following his dismissal for alleged ‘conflict of interest’ two-and-a-half years ago.

Gulkin won a labor tribunal appeal of the decision last fall, but the reintegration was delayed when the agency appealed to the Quebec Superior Court. The appeal was subsequently rejected.

Gulkin says he received a ‘warm welcome’ on his return and announced he had dropped a personal lawsuit against two sogic executives.