48 hours in Nova Scotia with CBC/Radio-Canada president Hubert T. Lacroix

I was waiting for Hubert in the hotel lobby in Halifax. I definitely didn’t want to miss the chance to introduce myself, since I was supposed to be his “shadow” for just over two days during his visit to Nova Scotia.

It was Hubert’s own initiative to have Corporate Communications staffers accompany him on his tours of the various CBC/Radio-Canada stations.

As president and CEO, Hubert leads the Senior Executive Team made up of all Corporation vice-presidents. The scope of his responsibilities are such that, when speaking on tour, he’ll touch on topics ranging from programming and financial planning, to political and regulatory issues.

Unlike me, Hubert is used to going on these regional tours. In fact, he’s been doing them since arriving at the helm in January 1, 2008. I was surprised to learn that he’s visited no fewer than 22 of our 27 stations across Canada—some more than once—and that he’s far from done. The goal of this particular tour was to present the new Everyone, Every way strategy to employees and stakeholders.

This devotion goes to show just how important it is for Hubert to hear what employees and stakeholders have to say about the Corporation, its services, and its future. I now have a theory as to why he hates long-winded speeches. Being pressed for time, he wants to cut to the chase to engage his listeners in a genuine dialogue.

From morning till night, it was one meeting, lunch, dinner and informal get-together after another with staff and stakeholders. And I think the term “genuine dialogue” accurately describes many of these discussions.

As a writer who had never ventured outside the Head Office, I was particularly touched by the kindness and warm welcome I received from colleagues in Halifax and Sydney. I’m convinced that this simple, easy interaction played no small part in the tour’s success.

Hubert headed back to Montreal satisfied with his stop in Nova Scotia and keen on returning for the famed Celtic Colours International Festival. As for me, I won’t soon be forgetting the lobster sandwich I had at Flavor.

- Jacinthe Lacombe-Cliche, Senior Writer, Corporate Communications, CBC/Radio-Canada