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Public Notice
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Ottawa, 31 May 1984
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Public Notice CRTC 1984-132
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Applications for New FM Stations and the Long Range Radio Plan of the CBC
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In Public Notice CRTC 1979-51 dated 18 April 1979, the Commission indicated that it wished to assess the implications of the Long Range Radio Plan submitted by the CBC on the overall requirements of the Canadian broadcasting system and that it would, therefore, not issue any further calls for private FM radio applications. This restriction was partially removed on 14 March 1980 with the Commission's announcement that it was prepared to receive applications for the provision of FM services to all regions of Canada, except the areas of Vancouver/Victoria, Montreal and surrounding area and Southern Ontario, where shortages had been identified relative to the total forecast of future channel requirements. These restrictions on private FM radio applications are commonly referred to as the FM freeze.
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In the 14 March 1980 Public Announcement, the Commission also indicated its intention to invite public comments on all aspects of the Corporation's plan 80 that a determination could be made on the best utilization oft the available FM channels in those areas where shortages had been identified.
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The public hearing on the CBC Long Range Radio Plan was held on 28 April 1982. The Commission's conclusions on the CBC plan were announced in Public Notice CRTC 1983-22 dated 7 February 1983.
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In this notice the Commission included technical guidelines for the coverage of FM stations and indicated that A study would be conducted jointly with the Department of Communications (DOC) to explore further the feasibility of achieving the coverage objectives of the national broadcasting service with fewer channels than proposed by the CBC. The notice indicated that the results of this study would be discussed with the Corporation and it also called for a revised CBC Long Range Radio Plan to be developed in accordance with the Commission's conclusions, the technical guidelines and the feasibility study results (Public Notice CRTC 1983-22). This revised plan would be reviewed and updated every five years.
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Following receipt of the feasibility study report, the CBC proposed some amendments to its Long Range Radio Plan. These amendments have met many of the Commission's concerns expressed; further consultation with the Corporation and the DOC will take place with a view to resolving the remaining items.
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Although the total number of FM channels available in the areas of Vancouver/Victoria, Montreal and surrounding area and Southern Ontario is still not sufficient to satisfy all the protected future demands for FM channels, the amendments proposed by the CBC provide considerable relief in channel requirements. It is, therefore, the Commission's opinion that the restrictions on FM applications still in effect in the above-noted areas are no longer necessary.
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Consequently, the Commission announces that the freeze on FM applications in the areas of Vancouver/Victoria, Montreal and surrounding area and Southern Ontario is no longer in effect.
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The Commission is preparing an updated version of a CRTC document entitled "Tables showing the CBC's Long Range Radio Plan and its relationship to DOC's FM Allotment Plan for channels 201-300" initially issued in October 1980 and revised on 10 February 1982. This document will include the amendments and the feasibility study results regarding those items which still need to be resolved. The Commission will make this document available shortly to the public on request.
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Prospective applicants for FM stations are encouraged to consult this document when preparing their applications. Any applicant who wishes to use a channel, which the CBC has identified for potential future use, should be prepared to demonstrate to the Commission's satisfaction why its proposal should take precedence over the CBC, in this particular case.
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Fernand Bélisle Secretary General
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