ARCHIVED -  Decision CRTC 99-474

Decision

Ottawa, 19 October 1999

Decision CRTC 99-474

Monarch Broadcasting Ltd.

Grande Prairie, Alberta - 199901856

16 August 1999 Public Hearing
National Capital Region

Conversion of AM station CJXX to FM

1. The Commission approves the application to replace AM station CJXX Grande Prairie with a new English-language FM station. Subject to the requirements of this decision, the Commission will issue a licence expiring 31 August 2003 (CJXX's current licence expiry date). The licence will be subject to the conditions specified in this decision and in the licence to be issued.

2. CJXX currently offers a country and country-oriented music format. Sixty-five percent of the news carried on CJXX is generated locally. The licensee plans to maintain this format on the new FM station. It will also continue the emphasis on local and regional news coverage.

3. The Commission authorizes the licensee, by condition of licence, to simulcast the programming of CJXX on the new FM station for a transition period of six months following implementation. At the end of this period, the Commission expects the licensee to surrender CJXX's licence for cancellation by the Commission.

4. In the area of Canadian talent development, the licensee will make payments in accordance with the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' Distribution Guidelines for Canadian Talent Development as outlined in Public Notice CRTC 1995-196. For the Grande Prairie market, this represents expenditures of $400 each year. As part of its application, the licensee made an additional commitment in this regard. In accordance with this commitment, it is a condition of licence that the licensee make additional direct expenditures of $1,800 each year on Canadian talent development initiatives. The Commission notes however that the licensee's proposal to allocate $200 each year for the production of a student aboriginal calendar at the Grande Prairie Regional College does not qualify as direct expenditures on Canadian talent development.

5. The licence will only be issued and effective when the new station is ready to begin operation. When the licensee has completed construction and is prepared to commence operation, it must advise the Commission in writing. If the station is not constructed and ready to operate within 12 months of today's date, extensions to this time frame may be granted provided that the licensee applies in writing to the Commission before the 12-month period or any extension of that period expires.

6. As proposed, the new FM station will operate on the frequency 93.1 MHz, channel 226C1, with an effective radiated power of 100,000 watts.

7. The Department of Industry has advised the Commission that this application is conditionally technically acceptable. The Department will only issue a Broadcasting Certificate once it has determined that the proposed technical parameters will not create any unacceptable interference with aeronautical NAV/COM services.

8. In accordance with section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, the Commission will only issue the licence and grant the authority to operate when it receives notification from the Department of Industry that its technical requirements have been met, and that a Broadcasting Certificate will be issued.

9. The Commission notes that this licensee is subject to the Employment Equity Act that came into effect on 24 October 1996 (1996 EEA), and therefore files reports concerning employment equity with Human Resources Development Canada. As a result of a consequential amendment to the Broadcasting Act, the Commission no longer has the authority to apply its employment equity policy to any undertaking that is subject to the 1996 EEA.

Related CRTC document

" Public Notice CRTC 1999-137 - New licence form for commercial radio stations

This decision is to be appended to the licence. It is available in alternative format upon request, and may also be viewed at the following Internet site:www.crtc.gc.ca

Secretary General