ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2013-398

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Route reference: 2013-154

Ottawa, 9 August 2013

Wells Community Radio Association, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated
Wells, British Columbia

Application 2013-0303-1, received 25 January 2013
Public hearing in the National Capital Region
27 May 2013

Developmental community radio station in Wells

The Commission approves an application for a broadcasting licence to operate a low-power, English-language developmental community FM radio station in Wells, British Columbia.

The application

1. The Commission received an application by Wells Community Radio Association, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated (Wells Community Radio) for a broadcasting licence to operate a low-power, English-language developmental community FM radio station in Wells, British Columbia. The Commission received interventions in support of this application.

2. Wells Community Radio will be a not-for-profit corporation controlled by its board of directors.

3. The station would operate at 92.5 MHz (channel 223VLP) with an effective radiated power of 2.25 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of -210.8 metres).[1]

4. The applicant committed to broadcast 126 hours of local programming per broadcast week.

5. The Commission notes that developmental community radio stations operate primarily for training purposes. In this regard, Wells Community Radio indicated that the station would provide training to volunteers and that it would allow them to acquire skills. In addition, the applicant stated that the station would provide a platform for new and emerging artists and celebrate the contributions of all ethno-cultural groups in the region. Programming would include local news, educational programs, tourist information, and programs featuring local artists.

Commission’s decision

6. The Commission is satisfied that the application complies with the provisions for developmental community radio stations set out in Campus and community radio policy, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-499, 22 July 2010. Accordingly, the Commission approves the application by Wells Community Radio Association, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language low-power developmental community FM radio programming undertaking in Wells. The terms and conditions of licence are set out in the appendix to this decision.

Secretary General

* This decision is to be appended to the licence.

Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2013-398

Terms, conditions of licence, expectation and encouragement for the English-language low-power developmental community FM radio programming undertaking in Wells, British Columbia

Terms

The licence will take effect 1 September 2013 and expire 31 August 2018. If the applicant wishes to continue the operation of the station beyond this period, it should file an application for a regular community radio licence with the Commission nine months before the expiry of its licence.

The station will operate at 92.5 MHz (channel 223VLP) with an effective radiated power of 2.25 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of -210.8 metres).

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

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

Furthermore, the licence for this undertaking will be issued once the applicant:

has satisfied the Commission, with supporting documentation, that an eligible Canadian corporation has been incorporated in accordance with the application in all material respects; and

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 August 2015. 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.

Conditions of licence

1. The licensee must adhere to the conditions set out in Standard conditions of licence for campus and community radio stations, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2012-304, 22 May 2012.

2. The licensee shall adhere to the Equitable Portrayal Code, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.

Expectation

As set out in Campus and community radio policy, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-499, 22 July 2010, the Commission expects all community and campus licensees to file yearly updates on the composition of their boards of directors. These annual updates can be submitted at the time of submission of annual returns, following annual board of directors’ elections, or at any other time. As noted in Appendix 3 to that regulatory policy, licensees may submit such documentation via the Commission’s website.

Encouragement

The Commission considers that community radio stations should be particularly sensitive to employment equity issues in order to reflect fully the communities they serve. It encourages the licensee to consider these issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.

Footnote

[1] The technical parameters reflect those approved by the Department of Industry.

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