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ARCHIVED -  Decision CRTC 94-814

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Decision

Ottawa, 14 October 1994
Decision CRTC 94-814
Fondation Humanité 2000
Quebec City and Beauceville, Quebec - 932248800

New religious radio programming undertaking

Following a Public Hearing in the National Capital Region beginning on 20 June 1994, the Commission approves the application for a broadcasting licence for a religious French-language FM radio programming undertaking (Group III) consisting of an originating station at Quebec City, on the frequency 90.9 MHz, channel 215B, with an effective radiated power of 5,685 watts and a transmitter at Beauceville on the frequency 102.5 MHz, channel 273A, with an effective radiated power of 400 watts.
The Department of Industry, Science and Technology (DIST) has advised that the originating station transmitter will have an effective radiated power of 5,685 watts rather than 5,850 watts, as had been indicated in CRTC Notice of Public Hearing 1994-7 dated 22 April 1994.
The Commission will issue a licence expiring 31 August 2001, subject to the conditions specified in this decision and in the licence to be issued.

Background

In Public Notice CRTC 1993-78 dated 3 June 1993, the Commission announced its new policy on religious broadcasting, which is essentially based on recognition of alternative values and the importance of balance in matters of public concern. While it allows greater flexibility in the licensing of religious programming services, the policy also recognizes the concerns and requirements of the Commission in this regard and sets out application assessment criteria relating to programming, complementarity within the market, ethics, and foreign programs. And, although the Commission will no longer expect an applicant seeking a licence to carry on a new radio undertaking for the broadcast of religious programming to have a multifaith ownership and management structure, the proposed programming must adequately meet the needs of the community it serves.
The Commission considers that the application by Fondation Humanité 2000 complies with all elements of the new policy.

Ownership

The applicant is a company incorporated under the Quebec Religious Corporations Act and controlled by a board made up of five members.

Programming

The applicant will broadcast a minimum of 57 hours and 30 minutes of local programming per broadcast week. The proposed programming will be exclusively religious.
Therefore, it is a condition of licence that the applicant broadcast exclusively religious programming as defined in Public Notice CRTC 1993-78.

Advertising

The Commission notes that the applicant proposes to broadcast no advertising on its station. Therefore, it is a condition of licence that the applicant broadcast no advertising.

Ethics

It is a condition of licence that the applicant adhere to the guidelines on ethics for religious programming set out in Public Notice CRTC 1993-78 regarding solicitation of funds and religious programming practices.
The applicant has committed to provide balance in the treatment of religious matters on its station. The Commission views religious matters to be of public concern and consequently, licensees who broadcast religious programming have a particular obligation to expose their audiences to different points of view on religious matters and religion itself.
The Commission also expects that the applicant provide reasonable air time to members of other denominations.

Other matters

It is a condition of licence that the applicant adhere to the guidelines on gender 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.
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.
This approval is subject to the requirement that construction of the undertaking be completed and that it be in operation within twelve months of the date of this decision, or where the applicant applies to the Commission within this period and satisfies the Commission that it cannot complete construction and commence operations before the expiry of this period and that an extension is in the public interest, within such further periods of time as are approved in writing by the Commission.
Should construction not be completed within the period stipulated in this decision or, should the Commission refuse to approve an extension of time requested by the licensee, the authority granted shall lapse and become null and void upon expiry of the period of time granted herein or upon the termination of the last approved extension period.
DIST 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.
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 DIST that its technical requirements have been met, and that a Broadcasting Certificate will be issued.

Interventions

The Commission notes the interventions submitted by D. Kronstrom and M.J. Lindley in opposition to this aplication and it is satisfied with the applicant's replies thereto.
The Commission also acknowledges the intervention of the Canadian Centre for Law and Justice in support of this application.
Allan J. Darling
Secretary General
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