CMRRA President Paul Shaver steps down Oct. 1 after many years of leadership
Toronto – September 24, 2026 – SOCAN and the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA) announced today that Veronica Syrtash has been appointed to a newly established role of Chief Business Officer, Reproduction Rights, for CMRRA, following its recent acquisition by SOCAN. Current CMRRA President Paul Shaver to conclude his tenure with CMRRA, effective Oct. 1, after many years of leadership.
“I want to thank Paul for his years of successful and valued leadership and service to CMRRA,” said Jennifer Brown, SOCAN CEO. “His commitment has helped build a trusted organization that serves music publishers and music creators with excellence. We’re pleased to have Veronica in her new role as part of CMRRA’s updated management structure and to help bring SOCAN’s and CMRRA’s important work closer together.”
As Chief Business Officer, Reproduction Rights, Syrtash will provide strategic leadership for CMRRA’s reproduction rights business, including licensing and rate setting strategy, advocacy, business development and new strategic opportunities. She will continue to build and preserve strong relationships with CMRRA’s clients, licensees, and industry partners while working closely with SOCAN and CMRRA leadership.
“I’m honoured to take on this new role at CMRRA and continue working alongside our talented team in support of music publishers and self-published songwriters,” said Syrtash. “CMRRA has a strong foundation and an important role to play in the evolving music rights landscape, and I look forward to helping advance that work, supporting our team and continuing to advocate for the community we serve.”
Syrtash previously served as CMRRA’s Senior Vice President, Business Affairs & Corporate Development. With more than 25 years of experience across music licensing, copyright policy, business development, and strategy, she has played a key role in CMRRA’s growth and development and has negotiated landmark agreements in Canada, with leading digital music services as well as with major and independent labels and broadcasters. In 2025, she received the Women in Music Canada Honours Award for Career Achievement and was named to the Billboard Canada Power Players list.
“It has been a privilege to serve as President of CMRRA and work alongside such a dedicated team,” said Shaver. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together and confident that CMRRA is well positioned for the future. Veronica brings deep knowledge of the organization, the industry, and the communities we serve, and I know she will continue to be a strong advocate for CMRRA, its team, and clients.”
As part of SOCAN, CMRRA will continue to operate as a dedicated reproduction rights management business, with the same team and services. Reproduction rights and support for publishers and rightsholders remain paramount for both SOCAN and CMRRA.
About SOCAN
For 100 years, SOCAN has been Canada’s largest member-owned music rights organization, resolutely upholding the fundamental truth that music has value. SOCAN collects license fees for the public performance and reproduction of music, matches them to rights holders, and distributes them as royalties to music creators and publishers in Canada and around the world. With a century of expertise and innovation, SOCAN continues to advocate fair compensation for the work of its nearly 200,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers. Learn more at socan.com.
About CMRRA
The Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency Ltd. (CMRRA) represents the vast majority of music publishers doing business in Canada, licensing reproduction rights and administering royalties for musical works. For more than 50 years, CMRRA has been at the forefront of the evolving music rights landscape, licensing dozens of digital services, including all major online music platforms operating in Canada. CMRRA licenses, collects, and distributes royalties for the majority of songs recorded, sold, and broadcast in Canada. Learn more at cmrra.ca.
Media contacts:
SOCAN: Nicole Van Severen, [email protected]
CMRRA: Elyssa Macri, [email protected]
