Job cuts at individual Canadian TV networks have spread to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. The broadcast industry’s main lobby group on Wednesday said a restructuring of CAB will force the loss of 14 positions.

Among the high-profile departures is COO Tina Van Dusen. The across-the-board cuts will also affect the member and marketing services, regulatory and policy, communications and legal divisions.

CAB also cancelled its next annual convention in Vancouver, which was scheduled for November 2009.

CAB president Glenn O’Farrell, who was scheduled to talk to Playback Daily on Wednesday afternoon before an unexpected cancellation, will step down from his post, as previously announced, on Friday.

Elizabeth Roscoe, EVP of strategic policy and public affairs planning at CAB, told Playback Daily the restructuring was mandated and carried out by the lobby group’s board of directors.

‘The economic and market realities require an advocacy organization that is directed to achieve policy results for broadcasters,’ CAB chair Charlotte Bell added in a statement Wednesday.

A team of senior executives at CAB will oversee the organization until a new president is appointed.