ARCHIVED - Decision CRTC 2000-359

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Decision CRTC 2000-359
Ottawa, 24 August 2000
International Harvesters for Christ Evangelistic Association Inc.
Moncton, New Brunswick – 199805925
6 March 2000 Public Hearing
in Moncton
New low-power Christian music FM station in Moncton

1.

The Commission approves the application for an English-language specialty FM radio programming undertaking at Moncton. The new station will provide a format that features Christian music. Subject to the requirements of this decision, the Commission will issue a licence expiring 31 August 2005.

2.

The Commission has granted a licence term that is less than the maximum of seven years permitted by the Broadcasting Act. This will allow the renewal of this licence to be considered in accordance with the regional plan established by the Commission.

3.

The International Harvesters for Christ Evangelistic Association Inc. (International Harvesters) is a not-for-profit corporation and is registered as a charitable institution with the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.

4.

In Decision CRTC 2000-358 issued today, the Commission is also licensing James Houssen, on behalf of a company to be incorporated under the name of Houssen Broadcasting Ltd. to provide a Christian music station in Moncton. The Commission notes that International Harvesters supported the licensing of two local Christian music stations, and considers that the two stations will be complementary with respect to their programming.
Programming

5.

The new station licensed to International Harvesters will provide a non-commercial service featuring Christian music in a variety of styles, complemented by appropriate spoken word programming.

6.

Spoken word programming will include public service announcements that will inform people about upcoming concerts and various speakers appearing in the Moncton area. The applicant further indicated that it was interested in broadcasting limited amounts of religious programming, such as five minute inspirational messages by local ministers.

7.

The applicant confirmed that it understands and will respect the Commission’s requirements for balance in religious programming as set out in the Commission’s religious broadcasting policy (Public Notice CRTC 1993-78). The Commission further reminds the licensee of the policy regarding solicitation of funds specified in that public notice.
Canadian talent development

8.

In addition to participating in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ (CAB) plan for Canadian talent development, the licensee will encourage and promote the development of Maritime Christian talent.
Conditions of licence

9.

The licence will be subject to the following conditions of licence, all of which are consistent with commitments made by the licensee, as well as the conditions set out in the licence to be issued. As conditions of licence, the licensee must:
  • operate the station within the Specialty format as defined in Public Notices CRTC 1995-60 and 2000-14, as amended from time to time;
  • ensure that at least 95% of the musical selections broadcast during each broadcast week are from subcategory 35 (non-classic religious);
  • ensure that a minimum of 20% of Category 3 music selections (Special Interest) broadcast each broadcast week are Canadian selections;
  • not broadcast commercial messages;
  • broadcast, in any broadcast week, no more than 2% hit material as defined in Public Notice CRTC 1997-42, as amended from time to time;
  • broadcast only local programming as defined in Public Notice CRTC 1993-138, as amended from time to time;
  • adhere to the guidelines on ethics for religious programming set out in Public Notice CRTC 1993-138, as amended from time to time;
  • make payments to third parties involved in Canadian talent development at the level identified for it in the CAB's Distribution guidelines for Canadian talent development, as set out in Public Notice CRTC 1995-196 as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission, and to report the names of the third parties associated with Canadian talent development, together with the amounts paid to each, concurrently with its annual return. The payments required under this condition of licence are over and above any outstanding commitments to Canadian talent development offered as benefits in an application to acquire ownership or control of the undertaking;
  • adhere to the guidelines on gender portrayal set out in the CAB's Sex-role portrayal code for television and radio programming, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission. The application of the foregoing condition of licence will be suspended as long as the licensee is a member in good standing of the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council.
Other matters

10.

As proposed, the new FM station will operate on the frequency 105.9 MHz (channel 290LP) with an effective radiated power of 50 watts.

11.

The technical parameters approved in this decision are for a low-power unprotected FM service. Accordingly, the licensee would have to select another frequency for the operation of the service should optimum utilization of the broadcasting spectrum so require.

12.

The licence will be issued and effective only when:
  • the Commission receives documentation establishing that an eligible Canadian corporation has been incorporated in accordance with the application in all material respects and that this corporation may be issued a licence; and
  • 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.

13.

The Department of Industry has advised the Commission that this application is conditionally technically acceptable, and that a broadcasting certificate will be issued only when it has been determined that the proposed technical parameters will not create any unacceptable interference with aeronautical NAV/COM services.

14.

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.

15.

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. In this regard, the Commission encourages the licensee to consider employment equity issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.

16.

The Commission acknowledges the intervention, which included a petition, submitted in support of this application.
Secretary General

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

 

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