ARCHIVED -  Decision CRTC 96-649

Decision

Ottawa, 27 September 1996

Decision CRTC 96-649

Cameron Bell Consultancy Ltd.

Port Alberni, British Columbia - 952961100

New low-power FM radio programming undertaking

Following a Public Hearing in Calgary beginning on 15 July 1996, the Commission approves the application for a broadcasting licence for an English-language low-power FM radio programming undertaking at Port Alberni, on the frequency 90.9 MHz, channel 215LP, with an effective radiated power of 50 watts.

Subject to the requirements of this decision, the Commission will issue a licence expiring 31 August 1999. This licence will be subject to the conditions specified in this decision and in the licence to be issued.

The licence term granted herein, while less than the maximum of seven years permitted under the Broadcasting Act, will enable the Commission to consider the renewal of this licence in accordance with the Commission's regional plan and to better distribute the workload within the Commission.

The programming material will consist of information on commercial, cultural and educational attractions relating to the Port Alberni area.

In Public Notice CRTC 1993-95 dated 28 June 1993 and entitled "A Licensing Policy for Low-Power Radio Broadcasting", the Commission stated that the licensees of low-power radio undertakings should be subject to the 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 this application and is of the view that it would be appropriate to apply the policy to it.

Accordingly, it is a condition of licence that this station be used solely to broadcast travel and historical information directed to tourists relating to the Port Alberni area. It is also a condition of licence that the service broadcast no advertising material.

In Public Notice CRTC 1992-59 dated 1 September 1992 and entitled "Imple-mentation of an Employment Equity Policy", the Commission announced that the employment equity practices of broadcasters would be subject to examination by the Commission. In this regard, the Commission encourages the applicant to consider employment equity issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.

This authority will only be effective and the licence will only be issued at such time as construction of the undertaking is completed and it is 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 licence 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 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 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 a Broadcasting Certificate will be issued.

The Commission acknowledges the numerous interventions submitted in support of this application.

This decision is to be appended to the licence.

Allan J. Darling
Secretary General