Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2016-232

PDF version

Ottawa, 20 June 2016

Notice of hearing

27 September 2016
Edmonton, Alberta

Deadline for submission of interventions/comments/answers: 20 July 2016

[Submit an intervention/comment/answer or view related documents]

The Commission will hold a hearing beginning on 27 September 2016 at 9 a.m. at the Radisson Hotel & Convention Center Edmonton, 4520 76 Avenue Northwest, Edmonton, Alberta, to consider the following applications:

Applicant and locality

  1. VMS Media Group Ltd.
    Edmonton, Alberta
    Application 2016-0372-0

  2. Neeti P. Ray, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated
    Edmonton, Alberta
    Application 2016-0358-0

  3. Antoine Karam, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated
    Edmonton, Alberta
    Application 2015-0007-5

  4. Dufferin Communications Inc.
    Edmonton, Alberta
    Application 2016-0329-1

  5. Radio India Ltd.
    Edmonton, Alberta
    Applications 2016-0344-9 and 2016-0374-6

  6. Multicultural Broadcasting Corporation Inc.
    Edmonton, Alberta
    Application 2016-0348-1

  7. Harmon Bal, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated
    Edmonton, Alberta
    Application 2016-0353-0

  8. Akash Broadcasting Inc.
    Edmonton, Alberta
    Application 2016-0359-8

  9. South Fraser Broadcasting Inc.
    Edmonton, Alberta
    Application 2016-0365-5

  10. 1811258 Alberta Ltd.
    Edmonton, Alberta
    Application 2016-0360-6

  11. Société Radio Communautaire du Grand Edmonton Society
    Edmonton, Alberta
    Application 2016-0354-8

  12. Riding Mountain Broadcasting Ltd.
    Brandon, Manitoba
    Application 2016-0342-3

Preamble for items 1 to 11

In Call for applications - Radio stations to serve Edmonton, Alberta, Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2015-562 (Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2015-562), 18 December 2015, the Commission called for applications for broadcasting licences for radio stations to serve Edmonton, Alberta. The Commission’s preliminary view was that the Edmonton market would be best served by proposals targeting ethnic communities. However, it did not preclude any other types of applications. The Commission indicated that applications were to include all of the information requested in the appendices to that notice of consultation, failing which the application would not be considered as part of the process.

In response to this call, the Commission has received a number of applications for new ethnic radio stations, as well an application for a new French-language community radio station, to serve Edmonton.

Items 1 to 8 are technically mutually exclusive since the applicants propose to use 106.5 MHz.

Items 9 and 10 are technically mutually exclusive since the applicants propose to use 580 kHz.

Several applicants proposed alternative frequencies and supported their proposals by providing technical suitability documentation. These proposals will be considered in this process and are identified in this notice. Consistent with the approach set out in Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2015-562, the Commission will not consider any alternative frequencies other than those identified in this notice.

The applications for items 1 to 11 will be treated as competitive radio applications for the Edmonton radio market.

Preamble for item 12

The Commission intends to consider, subject to interventions, item 12 during the non-appearing phase of the hearing.

1. VMS Media Group Ltd.
Edmonton, Alberta
Application 2016-0372-0

Application by VMS Media Group Ltd. for a broadcasting licence to operate an ethnic commercial FM specialty radio station in Edmonton.

The station would operate at 106.5 MHz (channel 293B1) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 1,600 watts (maximum ERP of 7,000 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain (EHAAT) of 163.6 metres).

The applicant also submitted two alternative proposals. Under the first alternative proposal, an AM station in Edmonton would operate at 580 kHz (class B) with a daytime and night-time transmitter power of 10,000 watts. Under the second alternative proposal, an FM station in Edmonton would operate at 93.3 MHz (channel 227A) with an average ERP of 2,300 watts (maximum ERP of 4,800 watts with an EHAAT of 18.5 metres).

The applicant stated that it would adhere to a condition of licence requiring it to direct ethnic programming to a minimum of 24 cultural groups in at least 22 different languages each broadcast week.

It further stated that 100% of the programming broadcast each broadcast week would be devoted to ethnic programming, of which 90% would be devoted to third-language programming.

The Commission may withdraw this application from the public hearing if it is not advised by the Department of Industry, at least 20 days prior to the hearing, that the application is technically acceptable.

Applicant’s address:

3307 20th Street
Edmonton, Alberta
T6T 0C5
Email: radiosursagar@gmail.com
Email to request electronic version of application: radiosursagar@gmail.com

2. Neeti P. Ray, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated
Edmonton, Alberta
Application 2016-0358-0

Application by Neeti P. Ray, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, for a broadcasting licence to operate an ethnic commercial FM specialty radio station in Edmonton.

The station would operate at 106.5 MHz (channel 293B1) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 9,000 watts (maximum ERP of 1,910 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 121.7 metres).

The applicant also submitted an alternative proposal for the use of the 1,650 kHz AM frequency with a daytime and night-time transmitter power of 10,000 watts.

The applicant stated that it would adhere to a condition of licence requiring it to direct ethnic programming to a minimum of 22 cultural groups in at least 12 different languages each broadcast week.

It further stated that 100% of the programming broadcast each broadcast week would be devoted to ethnic programming, 92% of which would be devoted to third-language programming.

The Commission may withdraw this application from the public hearing if it is not advised by the Department of Industry, at least 20 days prior to the hearing, that the application is technically acceptable.

Applicant’s address:

1515 Britannia Road East
Suite 315
Mississauga, Ontario

L4W 4K1
Fax: 905-795-9030
Email: neetiray@gmail.com
Email to request electronic version of application: neetiray@gmail.com

3. Antoine Karam, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated
Edmonton, Alberta
Application 2015-0007-5

Application by Antoine Karam, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, for a broadcasting licence to operate an ethnic commercial FM specialty radio station in Edmonton.

The station would operate at 106.5 MHz (channel 293B1) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 1,822 watts (maximum ERP of 8,800 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 127.5 metres).

The applicant stated that it would adhere to a condition of licence requiring it to direct ethnic programming to a minimum of 26 cultural groups in at least 14 different languages each broadcast week.

It further stated that 100% of the total programming broadcast each broadcast week would be devoted to ethnic programming, all of which would be devoted to third-language programming.

The Commission may withdraw this application from the public hearing if it is not advised by the Department of Industry, at least 20 days prior to the hearing, that the application is technically acceptable.

Applicant’s address:

11876 Demeulles Street
Montréal, Quebec
H4J 2E5
Fax: 514-745-3475
Email: tony@1450am.ca
Email to request electronic version of application: FGauthier@LStelcom.com

4. Dufferin Communications Inc.
Edmonton, Alberta
Application 2016-0329-1

Application by Dufferin Communications Inc. for a broadcasting licence to operate an ethnic commercial FM specialty radio station in Edmonton.

The station would operate at 106.5 MHz (channel 293B1) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 3,380 watts (maximum ERP of 7,500 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 135.2 metres).

The applicant stated that it would adhere to a condition of licence requiring it to direct ethnic programming to a minimum of 14 cultural groups in at least 10 different languages each broadcast week.

It further stated that 100% of the total programming broadcast each broadcast week would be devoted to ethnic programming, 84% of which would be devoted to third-language programming.

The Commission may withdraw this application from the public hearing if it is not advised by the Department of Industry, at least 20 days prior to the hearing, that the application is technically acceptable.

Applicant’s address:

5312 Dundas Street West
Toronto, Ontario
M9B 1B3
Fax: 416-233-8617
Email: carmela@evanovradio.com
Email to request electronic version of application: carmela@evanovradio.com

5. Radio India Ltd.
Edmonton, Alberta
Applications 2016-0344-9 and 2016-0374-6

Applications by Radio India Ltd. for a broadcasting licence to operate an ethnic commercial FM specialty radio station in Edmonton.

The station would operate at 106.5 MHz (channel 293B1) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 2,200 watts (maximum ERP of 5,000 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 144.2 metres).

The applicant also submitted an alternative proposal (application 2016-0374-6) for the use of the 1,690 kHz AM frequency with a daytime and night-time transmitter power of 5,000 watts.

The applicant stated that it would adhere to a condition of licence requiring it to direct ethnic programming to a minimum of 26 cultural groups in at least 16 different languages each broadcast week.

It further stated that 100% of the total programming broadcast each broadcast week would be devoted to ethnic programming, 95% of which would be devoted to third-language programming.

The Commission may withdraw this application from the public hearing if it is not advised by the Department of Industry, at least 20 days prior to the hearing, that the application is technically acceptable.

Applicant’s address:

201-12830 80th Avenue
Surrey, British Columbia
V3W 3A8
Fax: 450-963-7229
Emails: lours2003@videotron.ca, sharongill@radioindialtd.com
Website to view application: www.Radioindia.ca
Email to request electronic version of application: lours2003@videotron.ca

6. Multicultural Broadcasting Corporation Inc.
Edmonton, Alberta
Application 2016-0348-1

Application by Multicultural Broadcasting Corporation Inc. for a broadcasting licence to operate an ethnic commercial FM specialty radio station in Edmonton.

The station would operate at 106.5 MHz (channel 293B1) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 2,100 watts (maximum ERP of 7,000 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 165 metres).

The applicant stated that it would adhere to a condition of licence requiring it to direct ethnic programming to a minimum of 18 cultural groups in at least 16 different languages each broadcast week.

It further stated that 100% of the total programming broadcast each broadcast week would be devoted to ethnic programming, 85% of which would be devoted to third-language programming.

The Commission may withdraw this application from the public hearing if it is not advised by the Department of Industry, at least 20 days prior to the hearing, that the application is technically acceptable.

Applicant’s address:

8383A 128th Street
Unit 201
Surrey, British Columbia
V3W 4G1
Fax: 604-599-6063
Email: kulwinder@redfm.ca
Email to request electronic version of application: application@redfm.ca

7. Harmon Bal, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated
Edmonton, Alberta
Application 2016-0353-0

Application by Harmon Bal, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, for a broadcasting licence to operate an ethnic commercial FM specialty radio station in Edmonton.

The station would operate at 106.5 MHz (channel 293B1) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 1,600 watts (maximum ERP of 7,000 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 163.6 metres).

The applicant stated that it would adhere a condition of licence requiring it to direct ethnic programming to a minimum of 15 cultural groups in at least 15 different languages each broadcast week.

It further stated that 100% of the total programming broadcast each broadcast week would be devoted to ethnic programming, 79% of which would be devoted to third-language programming.

The Commission may withdraw this application from the public hearing if it is not advised by the Department of Industry, at least 20 days prior to the hearing, that the application is technically acceptable.

Applicant’s address:

804 East 37th Avenue
Vancouver, British Columbia
V5W 1G2
Email: harmonbal@1023fm.ca
Email to request electronic version of application: harmonbal@1023fm.ca

8. Akash Broadcasting Inc.
Edmonton, Alberta
Application 2016-0359-8

Application by Akash Broadcasting Inc. for a broadcasting licence to operate an ethnic commercial FM specialty radio station in Edmonton.

The station would operate at 106.5 MHz (channel 293B1) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 2,200 watts (maximum ERP of 5,000 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 144.2 metres).

The applicant stated that it would adhere to a condition of licence requiring it to direct ethnic programming to a minimum of 21 cultural groups in at least 14 different languages each broadcast week.

It further stated that 100% of the total programming broadcast each broadcast week would be devoted to ethnic programming, over 89% of which would be devoted to third-language programming.

The Commission may withdraw this application from the public hearing if it is not advised by the Department of Industry, at least 20 days prior to the hearing, that the application is technically acceptable.

Applicant’s address:

13376 Comber Way
Surrey, British Columbia
V3W 5V9
Fax: 604-599-6201
Email: fmband@edmontonconnectfm.com
Website to view application: www.edmontonconnectfm.com
Email to request electronic version of application: fmband@edmontonconnectfm.com

9. South Fraser Broadcasting Inc.
Edmonton, Alberta
Application 2016-0365-5

Application by South Fraser Broadcasting Inc. for a broadcasting licence to operate an ethnic commercial AM radio station in Edmonton.

The station would operate at 580 kHz (class B) with a daytime and night-time transmitter power of 10,000 watts.

The applicant stated that it would adhere to a condition of licence requiring it to direct ethnic programming to a minimum of 14 cultural groups in at least 14 different languages each broadcast week.

It further stated that 100% of the total programming broadcast each broadcast week would be devoted to ethnic programming, 86.5% of which would be devoted to third-language programming.

The Commission notes that this application replaces a previous application (2013-0405-5) by South Fraser Broadcasting Inc. published in Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2013-663 and withdrawn in Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2013-663-1.

The Commission may withdraw this application from the public hearing if it is not advised by the Department of Industry, at least 20 days prior to the hearing, that the application is technically acceptable.

Applicant’s address:

2900-550 Burrard Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6C 0A3
Fax: 604-231-9717
Email: suki@sukibadh.com
Email to request electronic version of application: suki@sukibadh.com

10. 1811258 Alberta Ltd.
Edmonton, Alberta
Application 2016-0360-6

Application by 1811258 Alberta Ltd. for a broadcasting licence to operate an ethnic commercial AM radio station in Edmonton.

The station would operate at 580 kHz (class B) with a daytime and night-time transmitter power of 10,000 watts.

The applicant also submitted an alternative proposal to operate the station at 106.5 MHz (channel 293B1) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 2,200 watts (maximum ERP of 5,000 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 144.2 metres).

The applicant stated that it would adhere to a condition of licence requiring it to direct ethnic programming to a minimum of 9 cultural groups in at least 17 different languages each broadcast week.

It further stated that 100% of the total programming broadcast each broadcast week would be devoted to ethnic programming, 89% of which would be devoted to third-language programming.

The Commission may withdraw this application from the public hearing if it is not advised by the Department of Industry, at least 20 days prior to the hearing, that the application is technically acceptable.

Applicant’s address:

9868A 33 Avenue North-West
Edmonton, Alberta
T6N 1C6
Fax: 403-690-3121
Email: sharnbuttar@gmail.com
Email to request electronic version of application: sharnbuttar@gmail.com

11. Société Radio Communautaire du Grand Edmonton Society
Edmonton, Alberta
Application 2016-0354-8

Application by Société Radio Communautaire du Grand Edmonton Society for a broadcasting licence to operate a French-language FM community radio station in Edmonton.

The station would operate at 97.9 MHz (channel 250A1) with an average effective radiated power (ERP) of 113 watts (maximum ERP of 180 watts with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 38 metres).

The applicant proposes to broadcast at least 92.5 hours of local programming per broadcast week. The remaining programming would originate from Réseau francophone d’Amérique and Radio France international.

The Commission may withdraw this application from the public hearing if it is not advised by the Department of Industry, at least 20 days prior to the hearing, that the application is technically acceptable.

Applicant’s address:

8627 Marie-Anne-Gaboury Street (91 Street)
Office 116
Edmonton, Alberta
T6C 3N1
Email: j8565@telus.net
Email to request electronic version of application: FGauthier@LStelcom.com

12. Riding Mountain Broadcasting Ltd.
Brandon, Manitoba
Application 2016-0342-3

Application by Riding Mountain Broadcasting Ltd. for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language FM commercial radio station in Brandon to replace its AM commercial radio station CKLQ Brandon, Manitoba.

The station would operate at 91.5 MHz (channel 218C) with an effective radiated power of 100,000 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of the antenna above average terrain of 325.6 metres).

The applicant wishes to maintain the AM transmitter as a rebroadcasting transmitter for the new FM service. The AM transmitter would operate at the current technical parameters, namely at 880 kHz (class B) with a daytime and night-time transmitter power of 10,000 watts.

The applicant proposes to maintain the station’s current Country music format.

The Commission notes that 91.5 MHz will become available in Brandon when Native Communications Inc. changes the frequency of its transmitter CIWM-FM Brandon, as authorized in CINC-FM Thompson and its transmitter CIWM-FM Brandon - Licence amendment and technical changes, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2016-100, 16 March 2016.

The Commission may withdraw this application from the public hearing if it is not advised by the Department of Industry, at least 20 days prior to the hearing, that the application is technically acceptable.

Applicant’s address:

624 14th Street East
Brandon, Manitoba
R7A 7E1
Fax: 204-726-1270
Email: clarkc@westmancom.com
Email to request electronic version of application: clarkc@westmancom.com

Procedure

Deadline for interventions, comments or answers

20 July 2016

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure (the Rules of Procedure) apply to the present proceeding. The Rules of Procedure set out, among other things, the rules for content, format, filing and service of interventions, answer, replies and requests for information; the procedure for filing confidential information and requesting its disclosure; and the conduct of public hearings. Accordingly, the procedure set out below must be read in conjunction with the Rules of Procedure and related documents, which can be found on the Commission’s website under “Statutes and Regulations.” Guidelines on the CRTC Rules of Practice and Procedure, Broadcasting and Telecom Information Bulletin CRTC 2010-959, 23 December 2010, provides information to help interested persons and parties understand the Rules of Procedure so that they can more effectively participate in Commission proceedings.

An intervention or an answer from a respondent must be filed with the Commission and served on the applicant on or before the above-mentioned date. An answer from a respondent must also be served on any other respondent.

Interventions and answers must clearly identify the application referred to and indicate whether parties support or oppose the application, or, if they propose changes to it, include the facts and grounds for their proposal.

For applications to be considered during the appearing phase of the hearing, the intervention or answer must include one of the following statements in either the first or the last paragraph:

  1. I request to appear at the public hearing.

  2. I do not want to appear at the public hearing.

Parties are permitted to coordinate, organize, and file, in a single submission, interventions by other interested persons who share their position but do not wish to appear at the hearing. Information on how to file this type of submission, known as a joint supporting intervention, as well as a template for the covering letter to be filed by the parties, can be found in Changes to certain practices for filing interventions - Expansion of filing practices to include the filing of joint supporting comments for broadcasting policy proceedings, Broadcasting Information Bulletin CRTC 2010-28-1, 10 December 2010.

The Commission encourages interested persons and parties to monitor the record of the proceeding, available on the Commission’s website, for additional information that they may find useful when preparing their submissions.

Submissions longer than five pages should include a summary. Each paragraph of all submissions should be numbered, and the line ***End of document*** should follow the last paragraph. This will help the Commission verify that the document has not been damaged during electronic transmission.

Pursuant to Filing submissions for Commission proceedings in accessible formats, Broadcasting and Telecom Information Bulletin CRTC 2015-242, 8 June 2015, the Commission expects incorporated entities and associations, and encourages all Canadians, to file submissions for Commission proceedings in accessible formats (for example, text-based file formats that allow text to be enlarged or modified, or read by screen readers). To provide assistance in this regard, the Commission has posted on its website guidelines for preparing documents in accessible formats.

Submissions must be filed by sending them to the Secretary General of the Commission using only one of the following means:

by completing the
[Intervention/comment/answer form]

or

by mail to
CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N2

or

by fax at
819-994-0218

A true copy of each intervention or answer from a respondent must be sent to the applicant and, in the case of a respondent to an application, to any other respondent.

Parties who send documents electronically must ensure that they will be able to prove, upon Commission request, that service/filing of a particular document was completed. Accordingly, parties must keep proof of the sending and receipt of each document for 180 days after the date on which the document is filed. The Commission advises parties who file and serve documents by electronic means to exercise caution when using email for the service of documents, as it may be difficult to establish that service has occurred.

In accordance with the Rules of Procedure, a document must be received by the Commission and all relevant parties by 5 p.m. Vancouver time (8 p.m. Ottawa time) on the date it is due. Parties are responsible for ensuring the timely delivery of their submissions and will not be notified if their submissions are received after the deadline. Late submissions, including those due to postal delays, will not be considered by the Commission and will not be made part of the public record.

The Commission will not formally acknowledge submissions. It will, however, fully consider all submissions, which will form part of the public record of the proceeding, provided that the procedure for filing set out above has been followed.

In the event that the application to be considered during the non-appearing phase of the hearing is brought to the oral phase of the hearing, and if parties wish to appear, they must provide reasons why their written interventions or answers are not sufficient and why an appearance is necessary. Parties requiring communication support must state their request on the first page of their intervention. Only those parties whose requests to appear have been granted will be contacted by the Commission and invited to appear at the public hearing.

Persons requiring communications support such as assistance listening devices and sign language interpretation are requested to inform the Commission at least twenty (20) days before the commencement of the public hearing so that the necessary arrangements can be made.

Important notice

All information that parties provide as part of this public process, except information designated confidential, whether sent by postal mail, facsimile, email or through the Commission’s website at www.crtc.gc.ca, becomes part of a publicly accessible file and will be posted on the Commission’s website. This information includes personal information, such as full names, email addresses, postal/street addresses, telephone and facsimile numbers, etc.

The personal information that parties provide will be used and may be disclosed for the purpose for which the information was obtained or compiled by the Commission, or for a use consistent with that purpose.

Documents received electronically or otherwise will be put on the Commission’s website in their entirety exactly as received, including any personal information contained therein, in the official language and format in which they are received. Documents not received electronically will be available in PDF format.

The information that parties provide to the Commission as part of this public process is entered into an unsearchable database dedicated to this specific public process. This database is accessible only from the web page of this particular public process. As a result, a general search of the Commission’s website with the help of either its own search engine or a third-party search engine will not provide access to the information that was provided as part of this public process.

Availability of documents

Electronic versions of the applications are available on the Commission’s website at www.crtc.gc.ca by selecting the application number within this notice. They are also available from the applicants, either on their websites or upon request by contacting the applicants at their email addresses, provided above.

Electronic versions of the interventions and answers, as well as of other documents referred to in this notice, are available on the Commission’s website at www.crtc.gc.ca by visiting the “Participate” section, selecting “Submit Ideas and Comments,” and then selecting “our open processes.” Documents can then be accessed by clicking on the links in the “Subject” and “Related Documents” columns associated with this particular notice.

Documents are also available from Commission offices, upon request, during normal business hours.

Location of Commission offices

Toll-free telephone: 1-877-249-2782
Toll-free TDD: 1-877-909-2782

Les Terrasses de la Chaudière
Central Building
1 Promenade du Portage, Room 206
Gatineau, Quebec
J8X 4B1
Tel.: 819-997-2429
Fax: 819-994-0218

Regional offices

Nova Scotia

Metropolitan Place
99 Wyse Road
Suite 1410
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
B3A 4S5
Tel.: 902-426-7997
Fax: 902-426-2721

Quebec

505 de Maisonneuve Boulevard West
Suite 205
Montréal, Quebec
H3A 3C2
Tel.: 514-283-6607

Ontario

55 St. Clair Avenue East
Suite 624
Toronto, Ontario
M4T 1M2
Tel.: 416-952-9096

Manitoba

360 Main Street
Suite 970
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3C 3Z3
Tel.: 204-983-6306
Fax: 204-983-6317

Saskatchewan

403 - 1975 Scarth Street
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 2H1
Tel.: 306-780-3422
Fax: 306-780-3319

Alberta

220 - 4th Avenue Southeast
Suite 172
Calgary, Alberta
T2G 4X3
Tel.: 403-292-6660
Fax: 403-292-6686

British Columbia

858 Beatty Street
Suite 290
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6B 1C1
Tel.: 604-666-2111
Fax: 604-666-8322

Secretary General

Date modified: