Montreal-based factual studio CMJ Productions II has bolstered its development operations by opening offices in Toronto and Los Angeles.

As part of the company’s North American expansion, Nicole Hamilton (pictured, left) will join CMJ’s Toronto shop as head of development.

Hamilton most recently served as VP of development for Toronto’s Peace Point Entertainment and as senior director of factual at Temple Street, where she produced numerous hours of programming for television and digital. She replaces Lesley Jacobi who is on a one-year maternity leave.

Earlier in her career, Hamilton served as VP of programming for Corus Entertainment-owned lifestyle channels Slice and TVtropolis, overseeing the production and development of original series. Hamilton began her television career producing documentaries for HBO.

CMJ, meanwhile, has also appointed Lucie Jourdan (right) as executive producer for west coast, reporting out of the L.A. office.

Jourdan previously served as senior VP of development for Virginia-based Pretty Bad Girls creator M2 Pictures, as VP of development for L.A.-based Candor Entertainment and director of development for Hollywood’s Pilgrim Studios.

As an exec producer, Jourdan’s credits OWN’s Six Little McGhees, MSNBC’s Sex Slaves: Texas Rescue and TLC’s The Virgin Coaches. She has also played a key role in the creation and formatting of Investigation Discovery’s Death by Gossip with Wendy Williams and History Channel’s Top Shot, among others.

Both appointments are effective immediately.

“Looking to capitalize on the momentum CMJ Productions has enjoyed in the highly competitive network originals space, we are very excited to have Nicole and Lucie join our organization and help us expand our reach into the creative communities of Toronto and Los Angeles,” said Judith Beauchemin, who was recently named president of CMJ Productions, in a statement.

The boost in development operations comes one year after CMJ was acquired by Quebec-based producer Attraction Media for an undisclosed fee. More recently, Attraction announced the launch of its new Attraction Studios banner, which is comprised of the company’s production and distribution arms as well as CMJ.

From Realscreen