A good friend and a good foe

Slawko Klymkiw

Slawko Klymkiw is the executive director of network programming for CBC, where McDonald once worked as a strategic planner

‘Elizabeth has remarkable passion, strong political antennae, and a remarkable determination when she needs to use it. And all those things are needed in a business that has so many balls in the air at the same time. Her ability to manage all of that [has been amazing], especially in an association which has so many different interests – large companies, small companies, regional companies, central companies, service companies, production companies… And in the middle of all that, there have been huge changes that have taken place in the industry. I thought she was absolutely the right person at that time for that organization, because they needed someone of that dynamic ability and someone who also understood the political reality of Ottawa.

‘In terms of the CBC, she’s been a good friend and a good foe. She understands, because she had worked at the CBC, the importance of public broadcasting, but she also understood that she had to represent the needs of the producers’ association, and she did that with remarkable tenacity. In all those cases, we at the CBC respected her abilities and her ability to talk directly about what the issues were and how we might solve them.

‘The great offshoot of all that, if we’re looking at legacy, is the Terms of Trade Agreement between the CBC and the producers. That was something that she brought to us many years ago, something that took us a long time to do, but which is a historic document [available for download at the CFTPA website] about somehow codifying and understanding the relationship between independent producers and a broadcaster. The CBC deserves significant credit there, but the association obviously deserves as much credit, and Elizabeth particularly saw this as an important step and an important achievement.’

It’s all about consensus

Kevin DeWalt

Kevin DeWalt, CEO and president

of Minds Eye Entertainment, has worked alongside Elizabeth McDonald as a long-standing board member of the CFTPA. He was also on the hiring committee that brought McDonald into the organization

‘[When McDonald joined the CFTPA], that was pre-tax-credit legislation and pre-Canadian Television Fund, and there was a lot of work to be done. And if you look over the years, Elizabeth has had her hand in creating and developing and changing the face of the industry in a positive way.

‘Producers from right across the country are represented on that board, and Elizabeth made a lot of effort in making sure there was consensus, and I think that’s one of the legacies.

‘You can change policy if you can bring in consensus – not just from our particular sector, but from unions and other stakeholders – and I think that’s something that Elizabeth did very well.’

Celebrate the passion

Glenn O’Farrell

Glenn O’Farrell’s reign as president and CEO of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters has coincided with McDonald’s last year and a half in charge of the CFTPA. McDonald was senior VP of television at the CAB from 1988 to 1992

‘The Canadian film and television production industry has been privileged to benefit from Elizabeth McDonald’s leadership for the past eight years. Her practical and focused direction has been instrumental in creating strong partnerships and relationships with the broadcast industry, and indeed with the entire cultural sector.

‘While her broad experience in the industry has enabled her to have a deep understanding of the diverse opinions, it is her passion for the industry that, above all, warrants celebration and recognition.

‘Elizabeth is a true champion of the industry. On behalf of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, I would like to thank Elizabeth McDonald for her tireless efforts and her drive, which has benefited the industry and indeed the country.’

Excelling all-round

Stephen Ellis

Stephen Ellis is the president of Toronto-based documentary prodco Ellis Entertainment. He is the longest continuous serving member of the CFTPA board and its predecessor, the Canadian Film and Television Association, dating back to 1980

‘I was part of the team that recruited Elizabeth eight years ago, and having worked with her in a number of board capacities, including chair from 2000 to 2002, it’s remarkable to reflect on her long list of accomplishments for the association.

‘In each area to which she turned her hand the organization has excelled: from putting producers on the map in Ottawa and international circles, to building a second-to-none industrial relations team, dramatically growing mentorship programs and turning out hugely successful publications and events. She is master of a critical skill in the trade association world – of leading a group of entrepreneurs while being perceived as following.’

Librarians unite!

Phyllis Yaffe

Phyllis Yaffe, CEO of Alliance Atlantis Broadcast Group, sat on the board of the Canadian Television Fund at the same time as McDonald. And like McDonald, she began her career as a librarian

‘Elizabeth was a terrific voice for her constituency, a great lobbyist… She always represented them fervently and I think that she’ll be missed. It’s a very hard job, especially with a diverse group of members like she had. But I think she brought so much energy to the job and passion for what she did. She was remarkable. She probably has more all-round experience than anyone does.

‘I don’t know [how librarians have succeeded in this business], but Elizabeth and I always had that past glory to share.’

Raising producers’ profile

Julia Keatley

Julia Keatley is president of Keatley MacLeod Productions, makers of the TV series Cold Squad. An eight-year CFTPA board member, she was chair in 2002-03

‘We very specifically went after Elizabeth to raise our profile in Ottawa. As independent producers, we were never taken as seriously as the other organizations – in particular the CAB or CBC. Elizabeth had a great background in the CCTA, the CAB and with the CRTC, and she insisted on constantly having us in front of the CRTC and making an extraordinarily professional song and dance.

‘Our voice is now considered and largely listened to, and that is a true credit to her raising that bar and forcing us to raise that bar and approach it in as non-biased and professional a manner as we could.

‘She’s somebody who always takes up a challenge and really gets things done. A thing about Canadians is that sometimes we sit back too much, and that certainly isn’t Elizabeth. For example, this spring, with the whole CTF [cuts], we just didn’t let that die.

‘She worked with a number of chairs over the years, and it’s always a challenge when you have your boss change on you every two years and you have to adjust to their style and you’re living in different cities. But she always managed to adjust very well to that, and I think in an industry association like the CFTPA, it’s that team of people with whom you need to have a good working relationship [that matters], and we certainly did.

‘I’m sad to see her go in many ways, and yet I also know that there are new opportunities for her and wish her the best.’

Greater representation

Patrick Whitley

Patrick Whitley is president of

service prodco Dufferin Gate Productions and domestic producer Temple Street Productions

‘For many years, the CFTPA was focused on the indigenous sector of our industry, with very little attention being paid to service production. In recent years, under the leadership of Elizabeth McDonald, there has been a greater sensitivity to the needs of those in the service sector. As a result, the CFTPA is now more representative of the film, television and new media industries as a whole.’

Elizabeth, the first and only

Trina McQueen

Trina McQueen, former head of CTV and author of a recent CRTC report on drama, is chair of the Banff Television Foundation’s board of governors, on which McDonald sits

‘Elizabeth I brought prosperity and harmony to a great nation. Elizabeth McDonald, the first and only, brought prosperity and harmony to a great industry. They both used approximately the same weapons in their battles: terror, charm, intelligence, diligence, vision, humor and lots and lots of words. Elizabeth McDonald’s reign in television production will be remembered as a Golden Age. All those who know her wish for her another golden Elizabethan age, and this one especially for her.’