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Ottawa, 18 January 1993
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Decision CRTC 93-21
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Radio CKMG Inc.
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Maniwaki, Quebec - 912054400
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Following a Public Hearing in the National Capital Region beginning on 21 September 1992, the Commission approves the application for a broadcasting licence to carry on a French-language FM radio programming undertaking in Maniwaki on a frequency of 99.3 MHz (Channel 257A) and at an effective radiated power of 2,400 watts.
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This application was filed by the current licensee for AM station CKMG Maniwaki with a view to converting the station to FM.
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The Commission will issue a licence expiring 31 August 1997, subject to the conditions set out in this decision and in the licence to be issued, and upon surrender of the current licence for CKMG.
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Maniwaki is currently served by CKMG, which was established in 1975. Other services include local community radio station CHGA-FM, which has been on the air since 1980; and CKWE-FM, a native radio station serving the Rivière Désert Reserve in Maniwaki.
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The licensee of CHGA-FM, Radio Communautaire F.M. de la Haute-Gatineau Inc., submitted an opposing intervention at the public hearing. The licensee was concerned that a new FM station in Maniwaki would diminish its sources of advertising revenue in an area where such sources are already limited. The Commission also received a written opposing intervention from Sonème Inc., licensee of CFLO Mont-Laurier and its rebroadcaster, CKLO L'Annonciation. Located less than 50 kilometres from Maniwaki, Mont-Laurier is a neighbouring market for that city. The intervener is concerned that the new FM station would compete against it in the Hautes-Laurentides area, especially if the new station were to solicite advertising in Mont-Laurier.
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In its application and at the hearing, the applicant described the technical problems it is experiencing on the AM band. The station has difficulty reaching listeners outside the Maniwaki city limits and thus, cannot adequately serve the surrounding communities located within the Maniwaki central radio market. The applicant stated that the FM frequency would provide a better signal both day and night.
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Although the 0.5 mV/m contour of the proposed station would cover the vast majority of residents in the Haute-Gatineau area, the Commission notes that it would still be significantly smaller than the CHGA-FM contour. Consequently, CHGA-FM would continue to enjoy an advantage in that respect. The CHGA-FM licensee also acknowledged at the hearing that approximately 50% of the station's revenues are derived from non-advertising sources and that this portion of its revenues would not be affected by introduction of the new FM station.
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The Commission further notes that the proposed 0.5 mV/m contour does not include Mont-Laurier. In this regard, the applicant made the following statement at the hearing: [TRANSLATION] "We do not intend to go and sell advertising in Mont-Laurier." The Commission took into consideration all of the foregoing, including the fact that this is not an application to establish a new radio station in the market, but rather to replace an existing AM station with an FM station operating in the Group I music format (Pop, Rock and Dance). As for CHGA-FM, it offers the diversified musical fare typical of community radio. In light of all of the foregoing, the Commission is of the view that approval of this application should have a limited impact on the other licensed radio stations in the area.
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The Commission notes the commitment by the applicant to broadcast 18 hours of news per week, of which 6 to 7 hours will be local and regional news and the remainder will be supplied by the Télémédia AM network. The applicant also stated at the hearing that it intends to expand its programming staff as soon as its financial resources permit, and to use members of the community where possible for community-oriented programming.
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The Commission reaffirms the particular importance it attaches to the development of Canadian talent and is satisfied with the annual budgets and the initiatives proposed by the applicant in this respect. However, the applicant should bear in mind that the $2,500 earmarked for reporting and interviews does not represent a direct cost. Consequently, the total direct and indirect costs for these items should read $7,500 and $4,500, respectively. It encourages the applicant, during the licence term, to continue its efforts towards the support, development and on-air exposure of local and regional talent.
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In Public Notice CRTC 1992-59 dated 1 September 1992 and entitled "Implementation of an Employment Equity Policy", the Commission announced that the employment equity practices of broadcasters would be subject to examination by the Commission. It encourages the applicant to consider employment equity issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.
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It is a condition of licence that the applicant adhere to the guidelines on sex-role portrayal set out in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' (CAB) Sex-Role Portrayal Code for Television and Radio Programming, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
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It is also a condition of licence that the applicant adhere to the provisions of the CAB's Broadcast Code for Advertising to Children, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
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The Department of Communications (DOC) has advised the Commission that this application is conditionally technically acceptable, and that a Broadcasting Certificate will only be issued once it has been determined that the proposed technical parameters will not create any unacceptable interference with aeronautical NAV/COM services.
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In accordance with subsection 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, the Commission will only issue the licence and the authority granted herein may only be implemented, at such time as written notification is received from the DOC that its technical requirements have been met, and that a Broadcasting Certificate will be issued.
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It is a condition of licence that construction of this undertaking be completed and that it be in operation within twelve of the date of receipt of the DOC notification referred to in the preceding paragraph or, where the applicant applies to the Commission within this period and satisfies the Commission that it cannot complete implementation before the expiry of this period and that an extension is in the public interest, within such further period of time as is approved in writing by the Commission. The Commission acknowledges the 43 written interventions filed by individuals and organizations from the Maniwaki area in support of this application, and the opposing intervention filed by the Association des radiodiffuseurs communautaires du Québec.
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Allan J. Darling
Secretary General
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