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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-588
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Ottawa, 20 November 2003
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CKUL Radio Society
Lethbridge, Alberta
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Application 2003-0245-6
Public Hearing in the National Capital Region
29 September 2003
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Community-based campus FM radio station in Lethbridge
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The Commission approves the application to operate a new English-language community-based campus FM radio station in Lethbridge.
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The application
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1.
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The Commission received an application by CKUL Radio Society for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language community-based campus FM radio programming undertaking in Lethbridge. The proposed station would operate at 88.3 MHz (channel 202A1) with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 125 watts.
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Programming
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2.
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The applicant stated that, in each broadcast week, the new station would broadcast 126 hours of programming. A minimum of 30 minutes of each broadcast week would be devoted to programming in third languages, such as Spanish, Korean, Japanese and Hindi. Depending upon the community's needs, as much as 50% of the broadcast week would be devoted to French-language programming. The station would promote all genres of independent music and offer wide exposure to local artists and to other Canadian artists whose music is seldom heard on commercial radio.
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Volunteer recruitment and training
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3.
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The applicant stated that the station would be operated by students and community volunteers. It plans to actively recruit volunteers from the University of Lethbridge as well as from high schools in the area, the First Nations community, new Canadians and third language programmers. The station would provide opportunities for students and other members of the local community to develop on-air broadcasting skills.
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4.
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An eight-member programming committee would supervise and oversee the volunteers' activities. The applicant would provide training for the volunteers.
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Intervention
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5.
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The Commission received an intervention opposing this application from Spirit Broadcasting Ltd. The intervener is the licensee of CJTS-FM Lethbridge, a low-power English-language specialty radio station that offers a Christian contemporary music format.
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6.
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The intervener expressed concern that the applicant's proposals to operate with an ERP of 125 watts and to offer musical programming from sub-category 35 (non-classic religious music) would have a negative impact on CJTS-FM.
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7.
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The applicant did not respond to the intervention.
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The Commission's analysis and determination
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8.
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The Commission expects community-based campus radio stations to provide programming differing in style and substance from that provided by other elements of the broadcasting system, particularly commercial stations and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Such programming should consist of music, especially Canadian music, not generally heard on commercial stations (including special interest music, as well as styles of popular music seldom broadcast), in-depth spoken word programming, and programming targeted to specific groups within the community.
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9.
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In Campus radio policy, Public Notice CRTC 2000-12, 28 January 2000 (Public Notice 2000-12), the Commission stated, among other things, that campus radio stations should rely on volunteers from the campus, and from the community at large, for their programming and operation.
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10.
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In accordance with Public Notice 2000-12, the Commission expects the applicant to take all the necessary steps to ensure that the board of directors includes balanced representation from among the student body, the associated college or university (for example, faculty or administration), station volunteers, and from the community at large. To ensure continuity of direction, the Commission also expects the applicant to establish positions on its board of directors with terms of more than one year.
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11.
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Based on its examination of this application, the Commission is satisfied that it is in conformity with all the applicable terms and conditions for community-based campus radio stations announced in Public Notice 2000-12. The Commission also notes that local and Canadian artists will occupy a predominant position within programming offered by the station. With respect to the concerns raised by the intervener, the Commission finds that the proposed station would not have any undue negative effect on CJTS-FM. Accordingly, the Commission approves the application by CKUL Radio Society for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language community-based campus FM radio station in Lethbridge at 88.3 MHz (channel 202A1) with an ERP of 125 watts.
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Issuance of the licence
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12.
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The licence will expire 31 August 2010 and will be subject to the conditions specified in New licence form for campus radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 2000-156, 16 November 2000.
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13.
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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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14.
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The Commission reminds the applicant 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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15.
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Furthermore, the licence for this undertaking will be issued once the applicant 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 20 November 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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Employment equity
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16.
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The Commission considers that campus radio stations should be particularly sensitive to employment equity issues in order to reflect fully the communities they serve. It encourages the applicant to consider these 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: www.crtc.gc.ca
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Date Modified: 2003-11-20