CMF announces changes to board of directors
Toronto, July 4, 2024 – The Canada Media Fund (CMF) today announced a new chair and the appointment of a new director to our board of directors.
Dr. Michael Schmalz will succeed outgoing chair Alain Cousineau, who left the board of directors after an 11-year tenure, as chair of the board. Appointed by the Department of Canadian Heritage in 2017, Dr. Schmalz resides in London, Ontario, is fully bilingual, and brings two decades of experience in the digital media industry, with a focus on gaming innovation, to the table.
The CMF also welcomes the appointment of new director René Guimond by the Canadian Coalition for Cultural Expression (CCCE), representing Canada’s cable, satellite, and IPTV distributors. A seasoned executive and consultant, René Guimond’s career spans four decades and includes executive-level positions in advertising, public affairs, and broadcasting.
Read René Guimond’s full bio on our website
“I want to thank outgoing chair Alain Cousineau for his 11 years of service on the CMF’s board of directors,” said new chair Dr. Michael Schmalz. “We are grateful for his dedication, expertise, insights, and commitment to high standards of corporate governance—Mr. Cousineau leaves behind a future-ready organization. And on behalf of the CMF and the board of directors, I wish to extend a warm welcome to René Guimond. We are eager to collaborate with Mr. Guimond to guide the CMF forward amidst a wide-reaching industry modernization effort.”
René Guimond joins chair Dr. Michael Schmalz and directors Alison Clayton, Barry Chapman, Chantale Coulombe, Gary Pizante, Guy Fournier, Russell Grosse, and Sanae Takahashi on the CMF’s board.
The CMF’s board of directors is fully independent from management, our funders, and any beneficiaries.
Learn more about the CMF’s board of directors and the corporation’s governance policies
About the Canada Media Fund
The Canada Media Fund (CMF) fosters, develops, finances, and promotes the production of Canadian content and applications for all audiovisual media platforms. The CMF guides Canadian content towards a competitive global environment by fostering industry innovation, rewarding success, enabling a diversity of voice, and promoting access to content through public and private sector partnerships. The CMF receives financial contributions from the Government of Canada and Canada’s cable, satellite, and IPTV distributors. Visit our website for more information.
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