Guy Mayson has left the CFTPA, stepping down from his post as head of the producers’ association after 12 years with the organization. Mayson says his term as president and CEO, which began in 2004, expired in March and that, with the recent conclusion of the Prime Time conference and the CRTC’s new media hearing, it seemed like ‘it was time to go.’

‘There’s no perfect time to go,’ he says, with a nod to both past and present turmoil in the industry. ‘The last couple of years have been so active on the regulatory front and with the [Canadian] Television Fund – it’s been one issue after another. And that in some ways was part of my decision… But I have the feeling I’ll be back in some capacity. I’m still very interested in the issues.’

Interested, and not discouraged, he adds. ‘It’s a challenging time, no question. But at the same time I think the association is really strong and the interests of independent producers are being recognized… in the government and the CRTC in particular.’

His time at the CFTPA has been marked by repeated changes to the funding system, the CTF in particular, great upheaval in the broadcasting sector and the ACTRA strike in 2007. He is credited with leading the effort to boost tax credits and with starting the ongoing ‘terms of trade’ negotiations with broadcasters

Mayson will stay on as a strategic advisor while the CFTPA looks for a successor, due to be named shortly. CFTPA national VP John Barrack will take over day-to-day operations in the meantime.

Mayson – a former writer, producer and Canadian Heritage staffer – served as interim head of the group for a few months following the departure of Elizabeth McDonald in 2003.

‘I want to thank Guy for steering the independent film and television industry through some rough waters over the years,’ said CFTPA chair Sandra Cunningham in a statement. ‘His wealth of knowledge in the public policy arena has been invaluable to the growth of the production sector.’

As for his future plans, Mayson says he hasn’t given up on the creative side of the industry. ‘I was a writer a million years ago and I may try to get back to that, but I will also keep my hand in the policy side,’ he says.