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Decision
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Ottawa, 15 October 1987
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Decision CRTC 87-844
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La Radio Communautaire de Rivière Saint-Augustin Inc.
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Saint-Augustin (Saguenay), Quebec - 870649100
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Following a Public Hearing in Hull (Quebec) on 9 July 1987, the Commission approves the application for a broadcasting licence for an English-language community radio station at Saint-Augustin (Saguenay). The Commission will issue a special FM licence expiring 31 August 1991, subject to the conditions specified in this decision and in the licence to be issued.
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The applicant had proposed to use the frequency 97.5 MHz and an effective radiated power of 100 watts. Because of technical problems, however, and following discussions with the Department of Communications, the applicant modified the technical operating parameters of the proposed station and will use the frequency 93.5 MHz at an effective radiated power of 100 watts.
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In accordance with the licensee's proposal and the Commission's policy statement on The Review of Community Radio (Public Notice CRTC 1985-194 dated 26 August 1985), the Commission will issue a special FM licence for community radio, Type A, to this station, which will be operated predominantly in a talk format.
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The Commission notes that this community station is owned and controlled by a non-profit organization whose structure provides for membership, management, operation, and programming primarily by members of the community at large. In this regard, the Commission notes that the station will set aside seven hours per week for commercial-free programming to be produced by community groups or by members of the general public.
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The proposed station will broadcast primarily verbal content, with a total of 58% spoken word programming, all of which will be in the foreground format, including 10 hours per week of public affairs material over a 43 hour 30 minute broadcast week. It also plans to broadcast 3 hours 30 minutes of news per week, of which 75% will be devoted to local and regional content. The Commission will wish to be satisfied that the required levels of foreground format programming set out in the Promise of Performance are maintained at all times.
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The Commission notes that the applicant plans to broadcast mainly country music in accordance with its policy statement on community radio referred to above, it expects the applicant to diversify the range of musical selections as much as possible in order to include other types of music.
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The Commission wishes to point out that the proposed level of hit material (80%) is contrary to its FM radio policy for both community and private stations. As mentioned in Public Notice CRTC 1983-43 The Review of Radio, the Commission requires, as a condition of licence, that the licensee maintain a level of hits below 50% and reminds it that too heavy a reliance on hit material does not contribute to musical diversity.
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The Commission notes that the applicant proposes to use an automated programming system for up to ten hours per week, between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. and between 1 p.m and 2 p m. from Monday to Friday. However, the Commission expects the applicant to ensure that a staff member remains on duty throughout these periods in order to break into the programming if necessary.
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In accordance with the community radio policy for Type A stations, the Commission approves the broadcasting of advertising for up to 20% of the broadcast week.
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It is a condition of this licence that construction of the station be completed and that it be in operation within twelve months of the date of receipt of written notification from the Department of Communications that it will issue a Technical Construction and Operating Certificate or such further period as the Commission may, upon receipt of a request for extension before the expiry of the said twelve months, deem appropriate under the circumstances.
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In accordance with paragraph 22(1)(b) of the Broadcasting Act, the Commission will only issue the licence to the applicant if it is in receipt of written notification from the Department of Communications, within six months of the date of this decision, that it will issue a Technical Construction and Operating Certificate. No licence will be issued if the Commission does not receive this notification within said period, or such further period as the Commission may, upon receipt of a request for extension before the expiry of the said six months, deem appropriate under the circumstances.
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It is a condition of licence that the licensee adhere to the CAB self-regulatory guidelines on sex-role stereotyping, as amended from time to time and accepted by the Commission.
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Fernand Bélisle Secretary General
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