ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-283

Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-283

Ottawa, 9 September 2002

Powell River Model Community Project for Persons with Disabilities
Powell River, British Columbia

Application 2001-1127-9
Public Hearing at Calgary, Alberta
10 April 2002

Developmental community FM radio station in Powell River

In this decision, the Commission approves an application to operate a new developmental community FM radio station.

The application

1.

The Commission received an application by Powell River Model Community Project for Persons with Disabilities for a broadcasting licence to operate a developmental community English-language FM radio station in Powell River.

2.

The applicant stated that the station would broadcast an average of 80 hours of programming during each broadcast week. More than 90% of the programming would be in English with the remainder in French and Salish. The programming would consist of a daily interview program, news and community-oriented information of special interest to seniors as well as musical selections from content category 2 (general popular) and content category 3 (traditional and special interest), including at least 2 hours each day of Canadian musical selections featuring both local and national artists.

3.

The applicant stated that, since the spoken word and music programs would originate within the community, the station would provide an outlet for local writers, musicians and other artists to display their skills. It also indicated that it would make use of volunteers from the community in the operation of the station and provide training for them.

4.

The applicant confirmed that the licence would be held by a not-for-profit organization whose structure provides for membership, management, operation and programming by members of the community at large. The board of directors would be ultimately responsible for ensuring that the licensee complies with the Radio Regulations, 1986 and the station's conditions of licence.

Interventions

5.

Thirteen interventions were filed in support of this application from individuals, community groups and representatives of business, government and schools in Powell River. The interveners considered that the proposed station would provide a valuable service to the community and that it would offer opportunities for local people to develop their skills and talent.

The Commission's decision

6.

As stated in Community radio policy, Public Notice CRTC 2000-13, 28 January 2000 (Public Notice 2000-13), the Commission's primary objective for community radio is that it provide community access to the airwaves and offer diverse programming that reflects the needs and interests of the community that it is licensed to serve. The programming must include music by new and local talent, music not generally broadcast by commercial stations, local information and spoken word programming. Developmental stations operate primarily for training purposes and have a certain measure of programming flexibility.

7.

The Commission considers that the proposal is consistent with all the applicable terms and conditions for developmental community radio stations announced in Public Notice 2000-13. The Commission approves the application by the Powell River Model Community Project for Persons with Disabilities for a broadcasting licence to operate a developmental community English-language FM radio station in Powell River.

8.

The station will operate at 90.1 MHz (channel 211LP) with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 3.6 watts. While the licensee had proposed an ERP of 5 watts, the Department of Industry (the Department) certified 3.6 watts.

Issuance of the licence

9.

The licence will expire 9 September 2006. If the licensee wishes to continue the operation of the station beyond this period, it must, nine months before the expiry of its licence, file an application with the Commission for a regular community radio licence, or cease operations when its licence has expired.

10.

The licence will be subject to the conditions specified in New licence form for community radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 2000-157, 16 November 2000.

11.

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

12.

The Commission reminds the licensee that, pursuant to section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, no licence may be issued until the Department notifies the Commission that its technical requirements have been met, and that a broadcasting certificate will be issued.

13.

Given that the technical parameters approved in this decision are for a low-power unprotected FM service, the Commission also reminds the licensee that it will have to select another frequency if the Department so requires.

14.

Furthermore, the licence for this undertaking will be issued once the licensee has informed the Commission in writing that it is prepared to commence operations. The undertaking must be operational at the earliest possible date and in any event no later than 24 months from the date of this decision, unless a request for an extension of time is approved by the Commission before 9 September 2004. In order to ensure that such a request is processed in a timely manner, it should be submitted at least 60 days before this date.

Secretary General