ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-332

Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-332

Ottawa, 23 October 2002

Radio Zenon Park Inc.
Zenon Park, Saskatchewan

Application 2001-0805-2
Public Hearing in Calgary
10 April 2002

Developmental community radio station in Zenon Park

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 RadioZenon Park Inc., a not-for-profit corporation, to operate an English and French-language developmental community FM radio station in Zenon Park.

2.

The applicant indicated that the new station would broadcast 126 hours of programming during each broadcast week. The programming would include music, discussions, news, community announcements, local hockey games, special events and religious services.

3.

The applicant stated that it would provide opportunities for students and other members of the local community to develop broadcasting skills.

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 adheres to the Radio Regulations, 1986 and the station's conditions of licence.

Intervention

5.

The Commission received an intervention supporting the application from the Zenon Park Village Council.

The Commission's decision

6.

In Community Radio Policy, Public Notice CRTC 2000-13, 28 January 2000 (Public Notice 2000-13), the Commission stated, among other things, that a community radio station's role is to provide community access to the airwaves and to offer diverse programming that reflects the needs and interests of the community that the station is licensed to serve. In that notice, the Commission introduced a streamlined regulatory framework for developmental community stations, which operate primarily for training purposes.

7.

Based on its examination of this application, the Commission is satisfied that it is consistent with all the applicable terms and conditions for developmental community radio stations announced in Public Notice 2000-13. Accordingly, the Commission approves the application by Radio Zenon Park Inc. for a broadcasting licence to operate an English and French-language developmental community FM radio station in Zenon Park.

8.

The station will operate at 102.7 MHz (channel 274VLP) with an effective radiated power of 5.4 watts.

Issuance of the licence

9.

The licence will expire 23 October 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 stations, Public Notice CRTC 2000-157, 16 November 2000.

11.

The Department of Industry (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 23 October 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