Milton's musical chairs
Robert Milton knows a thing or two about the importance of seating plans, whether on a plane or in the boardroom. Mr. Milton is chairman of ACE Aviation Holdings Inc., which owns 75 per cent of Air Canada and which has been monitoring its investment closely, as one would expect. By way of history, Air Canada ousted CEO Montie Brewer on March 30, to be replaced by Calin Rovinescu effective April 1. It wasn't known what Mr. Milton was up to behind the scenes. But now we have a hint of it, thanks to a March 27 letter from Mr. Milton to Air Canada chairman David Richardson, obtained by Nobody's Business: "We have resolved to re-establish our nomination of a majority of the board members of Air Canada and to require a reduction in board size. ACE views the need for change as being immediate, given the ongoing liquidity issues faced by Air Canada. ... The existing members of the Air Canada board are asked to facilitate the appropriate resignations and new appointments." Several directors left, and three were brought in. ACE plans to unwind as a holding company by mid-2014.
quel rant
Never let it be said that Quebecor doesn't protect its brands. Its TVA television unit is in an unlikely battle with provincial officials over the use of a rant-style news announcer in an ad meant to encourage young people to vote in the November municipal elections. The Directeur général des élections du Québec commissioned the online ad from Cossette Communication Group. The problem, according to the TV network, is that the ad parodied its own star host, Jean-Luc Mongrain, who is known for his blunt style. The host of the parody bears no physical resemblance to Mr. Mongrain, and there's no reference to his show, either. TVA complained to the DGE, which said the ad did not target a specific host but expressed regret if the network or Mr. Mongrain took it otherwise.
dragon's new den?
W. Brett Wilson, the Calgary investment banker turned TV personality on CBC's Dragons' Den, isn't ruling out a shot at leading Alberta's Progressive Conservatives. "Someone's got to," he says. In recent weeks, rumours have circulated that Mr. Wilson has linked up with disgruntled Conservative strategists in hopes of launching a leadership bid after a party review of current Premier Ed Stelmach in November. Former premier Ralph Klein made waves last week when he said Mr. Stelmach should step aside if he can't achieve 70-per-cent approval. Mr. Wilson's profile has been elevated by his television appearances and recent charity work. He also has a book coming out soon. Mr. Wilson let his Conservative membership lapse in the wake of Alberta's royalty review, which he said has made the province uncompetitive. Staff
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