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Ottawa, 23 December 1993
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Decision CRTC 93-758
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Tourist Radio Information for Niagara Inc.
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Niagara Falls, Ontario - 9314130
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New low-power FM radio undertaking
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At a Public Hearing in Fredericton beginning on 7 December 1993, the Commission considered an application for a broadcasting licence for an English-language FM radio programming undertaking at Niagara Falls on the frequency 91.9 MHz, (channel 220), with an effective radiated power of 8 watts, to broadcast non-commercial, tourist information programming originating from the studios of CJRN Niagara Falls, during the 1994 summer tourist season and the Winter Festival of Lights in the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons ending in January 1995.
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An intervention in opposition to this application was submitted by The National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA). The NCRA expressed concern that a closed-circuit radio operation at Brock University in St. Catharines could have an interest in using the same frequency that Tourist Radio Information for Niagara Inc. (Tourist Radio) has applied to utilize. The NCRA noted that, in Public Notice CRTC 1993-95, "A Licensing Policy for Low-Power Radio Broadcasting", the Commission established a priority system for the allocation of frequencies in southern Ontario, placing community-based radio at the top of the listing. The intervener felt that the current application should be denied, given the possibility of a future application byBrock University. The intervener indicated however that if the Commission decided to approve the application, a licence term of not more than 24 months would be acceptable.
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In its response to the intervention, Tourist Radio noted that the Brock University undertaking has not been in operation since 1988, and an application does not seem imminent. The applicant noted that the proposed service will provide traffic and visitor information 24 hours a day during most of the year to the 16 million annual visitors to Niagara Falls.
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The Commission has carefully considered the arguments of the intervener and the applicant's reply, and mindful of the short licence term granted herein,
considers that there is no reason to deny this application.
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For the above-noted reason, the Commission hereby approves the application as noted above, and will issue a licence expiring 31 January 1995, subject to the conditions specified in the licence to be issued. The Commission notes that technical certification from the Department of Communications is also subject to frequency availabi-lity to be determined every year.
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The frequency approved by this decision is an unprotected frequency. Accordingly, the licensee would have to select another frequency for the operation of the station should optimum ulitization of the broadcasting spectrum so require.
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The Commission notes that programming on the new undertaking will consist of weather, traffic, parking and bridge conditions, together with information relating to events of interest to tourists. The information will be repeated several times each hour, and updated regularly. It is further noted that no commercial messages will be broadcast.
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Allan J. Darling
Secretary General
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