|
Decision
|
|
Ottawa, 15 February 1988
|
|
Decision CRTC 88-97
|
|
Radio-Huronie FM Communautaire Inc.
|
|
Penetanguishene, Perkinsfield, Lafontaine and Midland, Ontario - 871232500 - 871235800 - 871234100 - 871233300
|
|
Following a public hearing in Toronto on 7 December 1987, the Commission approves the applications for a licence to carry on radio broadcasting transmitting undertakings for the operation of a French-language FM community radio station at Penetanguishene on the 101.9 MHz frequency (channel 270) and FM rebroadcasters in Lafontaine, Perkinsfield and Midland on frequencies 101.9 MHz (channel 270), 89.7 MHz (channel 209) and 88.1 MHz (channel 201), respectively. Each of the four transmitting undertakings will operate at an effective radiated power of 10 watts. The Commission will issue a licence expiring on 31 August 1991, subject to the conditions specified in this decision and in the licence to be issued. This term will enable the Commission to consider the renewal of this licence at the same time as that of other broadcasting undertakings in the area.
|
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 undertaking which will be operated in the Group IV music format.
|
The proposal submitted by Radio-Huronie FM Communautaire Inc. (Radio-Huronie) is the second French-language community radio station proposal in Ontario to be approved by the Commission, the first being that of Radio de l'Epinette Noire Inc. to serve Hearst and the surrounding area in northeastern Ontario (Decision CRTC 87-847 dated 16 October 1987).
|
|
The Commission notes that this community radio undertaking 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.
|
|
At the hearing, the applicant stated that it had received a number of letters from individuals and local organizations expressing a need for the proposed local service and indicating their unqualified support for the application. It has also received letters from francophone interest groups, notably the Fédération des jeunes Canadiens français and the Association canadienne française de l'Ontario (ACFO), organizations which strive to contribute to the development of French-language community radio services outside Quebec. The applicant also stated that the recent interest displayed by the local population had translated itself into a rapid increase in membership, which at the time of the public hearing stood at 140 and which the applicant is confident will reach approximately 250.
|
The market which Radio-Huronie proposes to serve in this region of southwestern Ontario, near Georgian Bay, currently has no local French-language radio stations. The region's francophone population is served by CJBC-3-FM Penetanguishene, which retransmits the French-language AM radio programming of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, originating from CJBC Toronto. On 14 July 1987 (Decision CRTC 87-567), the Commission authorized an amendment to the licence of CJBC-3-FM in order to permit access to the transmitter for the production of local programming by Radio-Huronie, among others. At the hearing, the applicant stated that while this limited access to the airwaves did not fully meet the needs of the francophone community, it had led to the participation of over 300 people and had enabled the organization to acquire valuable experience in radio production, establish studios and install the broadcasting equipment necessary for the new community station.
|
|
In approving these applications, the Commission has taken into consideration the dynamism and determination displayed by the promoters of the project, the information contained in the file, including the results of a market survey conducted in 1986 by the firm CEGIR on behalf of the applicant, and the additional information provided at the public hearing. In particular, the Commission has taken into account the available community resources and the financing plans of the applicant.
|
|
The applicant plans to obtain its financing from three main sources, namely, fundraising activities, local advertising, and federal and provincial government grants. The Commission notes, however, that the applicant's five-year revenue forecasts were based solely on the first two sources of income. The applicant projected that fundraising efforts would generate $25,000 annually and expressed confidence that it could obtain additional income from this source, specifically by organizing weekly events in conjunction with the local cultural centre. The applicant also indicated that the sum of $25,000 which was forecast by CEGIR to be realized from local advertising during the first year of operation seemed somewhat underestimated in light of its broadcasting experience and the renewed interest shown recently in the station by local merchants.
|
|
Moreover, the applicant stated at the hearing that it had submitted applications for approximately $80,000 in government grants for its first year of operation and that $57,000 had already been confirmed by the Ontario and federal governments. As stated in the community radio policy, the Commission urges the applicant to diversify its sources of income as much as possible over the years.
|
|
Since the applicant has been able to obtain, at low cost, the equipment necessary to operate its undertakings and in view of the broadcasting experience of the general manager and the availability of government funding, the Commission considers that Radio-Huronie will be in a position to implement its community radio project.
|
|
The Commission was concerned, however, for the long-term evolution of the project given the limited potential audience for this service and the number of other broadcasting services available in this region.
|
|
Within this context, the Commission at the hearing examined whether the applicant's programming proposals were realistic, given its limited human resources, which consist of only two full-time staff members, and given that most of its programs will be produced locally by volunteer staff. In addition, the applicant proposed a broadcast week of 126 hours and made an initial commitment to 54 hours per week of spoken word, or 43% of its programming, although the community radio policy establishes an objective of 35% in this regard. The applicant further proposed to devote 15% of its broadcast time to programming in the foreground format and 48% to combined foreground/mosaic programming, while the minimum regulatory levels for such programming are 9% and 33%, respectively.
|
|
Following discussions at the hearing, the applicant proposed, and the Commission accepted, amendments to its Promise of Performance whereby these commitments were adjusted to 29 hours per week of spoken word (23%), 9% foreground and 33% combined foreground/mosaic. The Commission notes that the applicant undertook to broadcast 70% French-language vocal music and 9 hours 16 mintues per week of news, 4 hours 30 minutes of which would be devoted to local and regional news, with the remainder to be obtained from the Ontario service of the Nouvelles Télé-Radio agency.
|
|
The applicant indicated in its application that it would provide an opportunity for the expression of social, economic and political concerns, as well as music programming that is open and accessible to all musical genres. Pursuant to the community radio policy, the Commission expects Radio-Huronie to develop innovative and alternative forms of community-oriented programming. It also expects this community radio group to offer programming focusing on matters of interest to specific elements within the community, such as neighbouring towns and villages and groups with particular concerns. In this regard, the Commission notes the applicant's assurances that even though all of its programming will originate from studios located in Penetanguishene, some programs will be produced in each of Perkinsfield, Lafontaine and Midland.
|
|
Pursuant to questions raised at the hearing with respect to its programming commitments, the applicant wrote to the Commission on 14 December 1987, undertaking to conduct evaluations of its Promise of Performance semi-annually during the first two years of operation, and annually thereafter, and to submit its findings to the Commission. Given that the applicant has maintained its proposal to broadcast 126 hours per week, it is also required to explain in these reports how it is fulfilling its commitment to broadcast 126 hours per week of primarily locally-produced programming while respecting all of its other commitments. The Commission expects the licensee to inform it immediately if difficulties arise and to take the necessary measures to ensure compliance.
|
|
Should the total hours of programming it proposes to broadcast create compliance difficulties for the licensee, the Commission would expect Radio-Huronie to reduce its broadcast time to a level consistent with its ability to respect its commitments at all times. The Commission reminds the applicant that the community radio policy allows community radio stations to increase or decrease the authorized number of broadcast hours each week by 20% without having to apply for an amendment of licence, so as to take into account the needs of each community and the availability of volunteers and community groups.
|
|
The Commission also notes that in an effort to redress its personnel limitations, the applicant plans to use, for approximately 15 hours per week, a semi-automatic broadcasting system designed so as to allow station staff to interrupt broadcasts at any time. The applicant has indicated that the system will be used only [TRANSLATION] "if community access hours remain unused." Accordingly, it is a condition of licence that the applicant may use automation during certain periods of the broadcast day, as long as this computerized system is one which permits the on-air announcer to interrupt programs when necessary. The applicant is required to submit a report on the performance and efficiency of this system six months after the station commences operation.
|
|
It is a condition of licence that the applicant not broadcast advertising for more than 20% of the total broadcast time, not to exceed 250 minutes per day or 1,500 minutes per week, in accordance with the community radio policy for Type A stations.
|
|
In its community radio policy statement, the Commission urged community stations to continue to give emphasis to all forms of local and regional artistic expression. In this regard, Radio-Huronie made a commitment to allocate the sum of $1,000 per annum for the broadcast of four music specials produced by the station, two variety shows in May and October, one on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day in June and one during the Festival des quenouilles in August. In addition, it will broadcast one production by the local theatre group each year. The Commission encourages the applicant's efforts in this area and will follow its progress with great interest.
|
|
The Commission acknowledges the written interventions in support of the application that were received from the CBC, from Mr. Allan K. McLean, MP for Simcoe East, and from Barrie Broadcasting, licensee of CKBB Barrie, Ontario.
|
|
The Commission wishes to point out that the frequencies approved in this decision are unprotected frequencies. Accordingly, Radio-Huronie would have to select other frequencies for the operation of its undertakings should optimum utilization of the broadcasting spectrum so require.
|
|
With respect to the Midland rebroadcaster, the Commission notes that the Notice of Public Hearing incorrectly stated that the proposed frequency was 88.9 MHz (channel 205), whereas the correct frequency is in fact 88.1 MHz (channel 201), as approved at the outset of this decision.
|
|
It is a condition of licence that construction of the undertakings be completed and that they be in operation within twelve months of the date of this decision 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.
|
|
It is a condition of licence of the Penetanguishene station that the applicant adhere to the CAB self-regulatory guidelines on sex-role stereotyping, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
|
|
Fernand Bélisle
Secretary General
|
|
|