ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-129

Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-129

Ottawa, 7 May 2002

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Vancouver, British Columbia

Application 2001-0766-6
Public Notice CRTC 2001-125
17 December 2001

Use of 90.9 MHz by the CBC's new French-language station at Vancouver

1.

The Commission approves the application by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) for authorization to operate its new French-language radio station in Vancouver at 90.9 MHz (channel 215B) with an effective radiated power of 287 watts. The new station will broadcast programming from the CBC's network service, La Chaîne culturelle, complemented by about 20 minutes in each broadcast week of local arts billboard programming.

2.

The CBC filed this application in response to the Commission's direction in New CBC French-language FM radio station in Vancouver, Decision CRTC 2001-313, 5 June 2001 (Decision 2001-313). The CBC had originally proposed to operate its new Vancouver station on 94.5 MHz (channel 233C). In Decision 2001-313, the Commission stated that it would only issue a licence to the CBC for this station provided that it submitted an application proposing the use of another FM frequency that would be acceptable to both the Commission and to the Department of Industry (the Department).

3.

On the same day that it issued Decision 2001-313, the Commission also approved, in part, a proposal by Gary Farmer, on behalf of a company to be incorporated as Aboriginal Voices Radio; AVR (AVR) in New Aboriginal-language radio station to serve Vancouver approved in part, Decision CRTC 2001-314, 5 June 2001. In addition, the Commission approved, in part, an application for a licence for a radio station at Burnaby by Simon Fraser Campus Radio Society (Simon Fraser) in New community-based campus radio station approved in part, Decision CRTC 2001-315, 5 June 2001. Both AVR and Simon Fraser had proposed to operate on 90.9 MHz (channel 215).

4.

The Commission advised AVR and Simon Fraser that it would only issue licences for their respective stations provided they submitted applications proposing the use of alternate frequencies that would be acceptable to both the Commission and the Department. The Commission encouraged AVR and Simon Fraser to consult with each other when selecting the frequencies they would propose to use.

5.

In Broadcasting Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 2002-1, 1 February 2002, the Commission announced an application by Simon Fraser proposing to operate its FM transmitter at Burnaby on 90.1 MHz (channel 211A).

6.

Simon Fraser and the Vancouver Métis Association filed interventions supporting the CBC's present application on condition that it modify its transmitter CBU-FM-1 Victoria, located on Saltspring Island, so that AVR could use 92.3 MHz (channel 222) for its Vancouver station. The CBC responded that it would consider modifying CBU-FM-1's antenna pattern to make 92.3 MHz a more viable option for AVR. The Commission accordingly expects the CBC to propose suitable modifications to its transmitter, CBU-FM-1 Victoria, in order to accommodate AVR's proposal to use 92.3 MHz in Vancouver.

7.

The Department has advised the Commission that, while the CBC application is conditionally technically acceptable, it 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.

The Commission reminds the licensee, that pursuant to section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, the licence for this undertaking will only be issued once the Department has notified the Commission that its technical requirements have been met, and that a broadcasting certificate will be issued.

9.

The station must be operational within 12 months of the date of this decision. The licensee's failure to meet this deadline will cause the authority to become null and void, unless a request for an extension of time is approved by the Commission before 7 May 2003. In order to ensure that such a request is processed in a timely manner, it should be submitted in writing at least 30 days before this date. 

Secretary General

This decision is to be appended to Decision CRTC 2001-313. It is available in alternative format upon request, and may also be examined at the following Internet site: www.crtc.gc.ca