ARCHIVED -  Decision CRTC 96-156

Decision

Ottawa, 16 May 1996

Decision CRTC 96-156

Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce

Whitehorse (Golden Horn and Mayor's House), Yukon Territory - 950967000 - 950966200

New FM radio programming undertakings

Following a Public Hearing in Vancouver beginning on 27 February 1996, the Commission approves the applications for broadcasting licences for English-language FM radio programming undertakings at Whitehorse (Golden Horn and Mayor's House), on the frequency 100.3 MHz, channel 262VLP, with an effective radiated power of 3 watts, to broadcast road conditions and tourist information, 24 hours per day, 12 months of the year.

Subject to the requirements of this decision, the Commission will issue licences expiring 31 August 2002. These licences will be subject to the conditions specified in this decision and in the licences to be issued.

In Public Notice CRTC 1993-95 dated 28 June 1993 and entitled "A Licensing Policy for Low-Power Radio Broadcasting", the Commission stated that licensees of low-power radio undertakings should be subject to a condition of licence that would define their programming in such a way as to ensure that they do not change their programming and begin to offer the same service as conventional licensees without Commission approval. The Commission has considered the circumstances of these applications and is of the view that it would be appropriate to apply the policy to them. The applicant has also agreed to this condition.

Accordingly, it is a condition of each licence that the programming broadcast by the applicant consist exclusively of tourist information and road conditions. It is also a condition of each licence that the service broadcast no advertising material.

It is a condition of each licence that the applicant be relieved of the requirement of section 10.1 of the Radio Regulations, 1986 that it own and operate its transmitter. The Commission expects the applicant to retain, at all times, full control of its undertakings including control of its programming transmission.

This authority will only be effective and each licence will only be issued at such time as construction of the undertakings is completed and they are prepared to commence operation. If the construction is not completed 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 operation before the expiry of this period and that an extension of time is in the public interest, within such further periods of time as are approved in writing by the Commission, the licences will not be issued. The applicant is required to advise the Commission (before the expiry of the twelve-month period or any extension thereof) in writing, once it has completed construction and is prepared to commence operation.

The Department of Industry has advised the Commission that these applications are conditionally technically acceptable, and that Broadcasting Certificates 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 licences and the authority will only be granted at such time as written notification is received from the Department of Industry that its technical requirements have been met, and that Broadcasting Certificates will be issued.

This decision is to be appended to each licence.

 Allan J. Darling
 Secretary General