ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2015-317

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References: 2015-17, 2015-17-1 and 2015-17-3

Ottawa, 16 July 2015

Clearview Community Radio Inc.
Creemore, Ontario

Application 2014-1074-5, received 20 October 2014
Public hearing in the National Capital Region
8 April 2015

English-language developmental community radio station in Creemore

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

Application

1. Clearview Community Radio Inc. (Clearview) filed an application for a broadcasting licence to operate a low-power, English-language developmental community FM radio station in Creemore, Ontario. The Commission did not receive any interventions regarding this application.

2. Clearview is a not-for-profit corporation controlled by its board of directors.

3. The station would operate at 90.1 MHz (channel 211LP) with an effective radiated power of 5 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height above average terrain of -29 metres).^{Footnote 1}

4. Clearview stated that the station would broadcast 126 hours of programming each broadcast week reflecting the needs and interests of the community through spoken word programming, local information and new music from local talent not generally broadcast on commercial radio stations. The musical programming would consist of popular music and special interest music selections, including pop, rock and dance, acoustic, easy listening, folk and world beat music.

5. In order to promote programming diversity, the station would also provide access for community members. Clearview stated that it intended to recruit, develop and broadcast local on-air talent and produce programming in partnership with community groups that would reflect community interests and all residents of Clearview. The applicant added that it intended to promote opportunities for youth and other community members to volunteer in the operations of the station and that it would provide training guidelines for volunteers and recruit skilled professionals for ongoing training and supervision purposes.

6. In Campus and community radio policy, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-499, 22 July 2010 (the Campus and Community Radio Policy), the Commission announced a number of changes to the regulatory framework for campus and community stations. Clearview has confirmed that it will adhere to the revised framework set out in that policy.

Commission's decision

7. As set out in the Campus and Community Radio Policy, the Commission expects community-based radio stations to provide programming differing in style and substance from that provided by other elements of the broadcasting system, particularly commercial radio stations and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 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.

8. The Commission is satisfied that the application is consistent with the provisions for community radio stations set out in the Campus and Community Radio Policy. Accordingly, the Commission approves the application by Clearview Community Radio Inc. for a broadcasting licence to operate a low-power, English-language developmental community FM radio programming undertaking in Creemore, Ontario. The terms and conditions of licence are set out in the appendix to this decision.

9. In its revised licensing policy for new developmental radio stations (see the Campus and Community Radio Policy), the Commission determined that it would be appropriate to grant such stations licence terms of up to five rather than three years as set out in its previous policy. It stated that the longer licence term would permit the establishment of more stable and viable campus and community radio organizations while also taking into consideration the fact that licensees may take up to two years to implement their services.

Secretary General

*This decision is to be appended to the licence.

Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2015-317

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

Terms

The licence will expire 31 August 2019. 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 at least nine months before the expiry of its licence.

The station will operate at 90.1 MHz (channel 211LP) with an effective radiated power of 5 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height above average terrain of -29 metres).

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 applicant will have to select another frequency if the Department so requires.

The applicant must file an executed copy of its amended by-laws reflecting at least five directors no later than 30 days from the publication of this decision.

Further, 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 16 July 2017. 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 shall adhere to the conditions of licence for developmental community stations set out in New licence form for community radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 2000-157, 16 November 2000, as well as to the conditions set out in the licence for the undertaking.

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 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.

Date modified:

2015-07-16