Leonard Asper Steps Down at Canwest

WINNIPEG: Leonard Asper is stepping down as the president and CEO of Canwest Global Communications "in order to pursue other business opportunities and to avoid any concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest," the company said in a statement.

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice recently cleared a deal by Shaw Communications to take control of the restructured Canwest Global. Asper is said to be have been working with a consortium of investors to offer up a rival bid in order to maintain control of the company, founded by his father.

Canwest said yesterday that Asper will continue to provide the company with advice through a consulting agreement that runs through till the company emerges from its court-supervised rrestructuring. His positions will not be filled. Canwest’s television broadcasting businesses will continue under the leadership of Peter Viner as president and CEO.

“I would like to thank Leonard for his years of dedicated leadership and unwavering commitment to Canwest,” said Derek Burney, Canwest’s chairman of the board. “His vision and determination over the last decade has been instrumental in shaping the Canadian media landscape.”