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Public Notice
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Ottawa, 9 September 1985
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Public Notice CRTC 1985-208
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CRTC Consultative Committee on Ethnic >Broadcasting
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On 4 July 1985, the Commission published Public Notice 1985-139, entitled "A Broadcasting Policy Reflecting Canada's Linguistic and Cultural Diversity" (the Policy). In the Policy, the Commission outlined its guidelines for the broadcasting of ethnic programming. This included the definition of an ethnic program, the definition of ethnic radio and television stations, guidelines for conventional radio and television stations, the role of the cable community channel and closed-circuit audio services as well as ancillary services and ethnic specialty network services.
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The Policy followed an extensive consultation process that included a series of three public hearings held in March of 1985 in Vancouver, Toronto and the National Capital Region. At the hearings, discussion centred on the Commission's Public Notice, "A Proposal for an Ethnic Broadcasting Policy for Canada" published 1 October 1984.
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A number of issues were raised which the Commission identified as needing further study. It therefore announced in the 4 July 1985 Public Notice, that it would establish a CRTC Consultative Committee to examine these matters.
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Mandate
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A number of organizations and individuals will be consulted with a view to obtaining information on the following matters:
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1. the availability in Canada of Canadian and non-Canadian ethnic musical recordings, and consequently, the appropriate Canadian content level for ethnic radio stations broadcasting ethnic music programs;
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2. the most effective means of stimulating and promoting Canadian ethnic talent and production;
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3. the inclusion of instrumental selections in the definition of an ethnic radio program;
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4. the inclusion of the lyrics of a song as spoken word content; and
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5. access by ethnic groups to the community channel.
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Composition of the Committee
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The Committee will be made up of Commissioners of the CRTC and coordinated by senior CRTC staff. Consultation will take place with ethnic radio broadcasters, conventional radio broadcasters providing ethnic programs, closed circuit cable operators providing ethnic audio services, cable companies, representatives of the recording industry, ethnic artists, provincial and federal government departments, and others.
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Timetable
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The Commission will be hearing applications for the renewal of the licences of some existing ethnic radio broadcasters, as well as application for new ethnic radio services before the end of 1985. It considers it essential, therefore, that guidelines for appropriate levels of Canadian content be established before hearing such applications. The Committee will, therefore, focus its immediate attention on the radio aspects of its mandate, particularly the Canadian content level; a report is expected the middle of October.
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Consultations will take place subsequently on the matter of access by ethnic groups to the cable community channel.
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Fernand Bélisle Secretary General
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