Changing Channels: Confessions of a Canadian Communications Lawyer (2013)
Peter Grant’s memoir, Changing Channels, recounts a life dedicated to guiding Canada in its journey towards a distinctive place in the world of popular culture. In documenting his wide range of experiences, from stints at UNESCO and the CRTC, to advocating for the underdog in regard to communications and cultural policy, Grant establishes himself as Canada’s authority on communications law.
Renowned advocate and legal trailblazer Peter S. Grant has acted for – and against – virtually all of the major players in the Canadian broadcast and telecommunications industry. His résumé features stints as a rapporteur for UNESCO, Special Counsel for the CRTC, Broadcasting Arbitrator for Canada’s political parties, and advocate for the underdog in the David-and-Goliath struggle to expand Canada’s culture industries.
In his sweeping memoir, Changing Channels: Confessions of a Canadian Communications Lawyer, Grant affords readers an insider’s glimpse into some of the biggest changes in the history of Canadian communications policy. Interspersed with fond recollections of his hometown of Kapuskasing and anecdotes of his growing family, Grant provides an eye-opening account of the Canadian communications industries. He documents his role in regulating the telecom carriers, increasing competition among service providers, and acting for dozens of broadcast programming services in front of the CRTC.
Grant’s reasoned prose highlights his far-reaching expertise in all areas of communications law and cultural policy, and makes his story compelling to anyone who has picked up a phone or turned on a television set.
Critical reviews:
“The dust jacket of Peter Grant’s autobiography Changing Channels: Confessions of a Canadian Communications Lawyer accurately describes it as a "sweeping memoir" about a person "who pioneered the field of communications law in Canada". It is a treasure trove of anecdotes which, when woven together as skilfully as Grant has done, provides a rich history of significant events in the development of communications law and policy in the four decades during which Grant practiced law in this field. As such, it is a must read for law students, lawyers (of all seniority) as well as students and practitioners of public policy.’” —Gregory Kane, Journal of Parliamentary and Political Law
“What a success story, being both builder of a practice and its most erudite scholar. ... Although we often differed in the positions we took, I find your recounting fair and accurate. For anyone wanting to understand the Canadian communication scene, your book, in my view, is a must. I loved the book. Congratulations on telling about your brilliant career in a highly readable and entertaining book.” —Konrad von Finckenstein, former CRTC Chair
“Peter Grant’s memoir, based on a life acting for the underdog in Canada’s cultural industries, is a must-read for anyone interested in cultural policy.” —Maureen Parker, Executive Director, Writers Guild of Canada