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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-1
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Ottawa, 7 January 2003
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Touch Canada Broadcasting Inc.
Edmonton, Alberta
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Application 2001-1173-2
Public Hearing in the National Capital Region
3 June 2002
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Christian music FM radio station in Edmonton
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1.
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The Commission approves the application by Touch Canada Broadcasting Inc. (Touch Canada) for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language specialty FM radio programming undertaking in Edmonton, Alberta. The station will operate at 105.9 MHz (channel 290C1) with an effective radiated power of 100,000 watts.
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2.
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The Commission received 13 interventions in support of this application.
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3.
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Touch Canada is the licensee of CJSI-FM Calgary, and a partner in CJCA Limited Partnership, which operates CJCA Edmonton.
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4.
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The licensee proposed to offer a musical format based on contemporary Christian music. While the licensee planned to draw 100% of its total music from Category 3, subcategory 35 non-classic religious, a condition of licence has been imposed which requires the licensee to devote at least 95% of all music played to selections drawn from subcategory 35.
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5.
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The licensee will also be restricted, by condition of licence, in its use of popular "hit" musical selections. The text of these conditions are set out in the appendix to this decision. Although primarily music driven, the programming service will also offer local news, weather, sports, traffic and community calendar reports which will be scheduled every half hour from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
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6.
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Touch Canada indicated that its proposed service would not offer religious programming as defined in Religious Broadcasting Policy, Public Notice CRTC 1993-78, 3 June 1993. The Commission nevertheless reminds the licensee of the requirements set out in that policy with respect to balance and other matters involving broadcasting of religious programming as well as soliciting funds.
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7.
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Touch Canada proposed to broadcast a minimum of 10% Canadian content in Category 3 music each broadcast week, which is the current regulatory minimum for Canadian content in Category 3 music. However, in Commercial Radio Policy 1998, Public Notice CRTC 1998-41, 30 April 1998, (the Radio Policy), the Commission concluded that when renewing licences, it would expect commercial FM stations operating in the specialty format to propose an increase in the level of Canadian music broadcast. In addition, since the Radio Policy came into effect, the Commission has usually imposed minimum levels of 15% Canadian content for programming undertakings similar to that proposed by Touch Canada. Therefore, the Commission expects Touch Canada to exceed the level of Canadian content in Category 3 music required under the Radio Regulations, 1986, as may be amended from time to time.
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8.
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The licensee will not participate in the Canadian talent development plan established by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. Instead, it has proposed a minimum contribution of $8,000 annually to two separate third-party organizations. The two third-party organizations, Soundsalive and Blue Sky Promotions, foster the growth of Canadian Christian music by promoting Canadian artists on a national scale. Accordingly, the Commission has imposed a condition of licence in this regard. In addition, Touch Canada submitted that it plans to create a Canadian gospel music label which will support Christian music in Western Canada by awarding an annual recording contract to the most promising musical performer.
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9.
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The licence will expire 31 August 2009 and will be subject to the conditions set out in the appendix to this decision, as well as to those set out in New licence form for commercial radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 1999-137, 24 August 1999, with the exception of conditions of licence 5, 8 and 10 relating to Canadian talent development, Specialty format and the use of hits, respectively.
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10.
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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.
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11.
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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.
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12.
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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 7 January 2005. 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.
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13.
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In accordance with Implementation of an employment equity policy, Public Notice CRTC 1992-59, 1 September 1992, 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.
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Secretary General
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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: http://www.crtc.gc.ca
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Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-1
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Conditions of licence
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1. The licensee shall operate the station within the Specialty format as defined in A review of certain matters concerning radio, Public Notice CRTC 1995-60, 21 April 1995, and Revised content categories and subcategories for radio, Public Notice CRTC 2000-14, 28 January 2000 (Public Notice 2000-14), as amended from time to time.
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2. The licensee shall devote a minimum of 95% of all musical selections broadcast during each broadcast week to selections drawn from subcategory 35 - non-classic religious, as defined in Public Notice 2000-14, as amended from time to time.
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3. The licensee shall broadcast, in any broadcast week, no more than 49% hit material as defined in Revised policy on the use of hits by English-language FM radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 1997-42, 23 April 1997, as amended from time to time.
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4. The licensee shall contribute each year a minimum of $8,000 to Soundsalive and Blue Sky Promotions, eligible third parties associated with Canadian talent development.
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Date Modified: 2003-01-07
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