ARCHIVED -  Decision CRTC 86-612

Decision

Ottawa, 26 June 1986

Decision CRTC 86-612

Diffusion communautaire des Iles Inc.

Cap-aux-Meules, Quebec - 853326700

Following a Public Hearing in Montreal on 18 March 1986, the Commission renews the broadcasting licence for CFIM-MF Cap-aux-Meules from 1 October 1986 to 30 September 1991, subject to the conditions specified in the licence to be issued.

In accordance with the licensee's proposal and the Commission's policy statement on The Review of Community Radio (Public Notice CRTC 1985-194 dated 26 August 1985), the Commission will issue a special FM licence for community radio, Type A, to this station, which will be operated in a talk format.

A self-assessment of CFIM-MF's programming from 16 to 22 September 1985, indicated that, overall, CFIM-MF was adhering to its commitments and to its Promise of Performance, except with respect to the amount of broadcast time, which was increased from 84 to 104 hours per week without prior authorization from the Commission. CFIM-MF is a genuine community station not only in terms of ownership and operation but also with respect to programming. The Commission notes the licensee's excellent volunteer training program and encourages CFIM-MF to continue this as a means of ensuring that it has the necessary human resources.

The Commission approves the proposal to increase CFIM-MF's broadcast time from 84 to 104 hours per week. In its policy on community radio, the Commission made a provision for any community station to increase or decrease by 20% the number of hours it is authorized to broadcast per week without having to apply to the Commission, in order to take into account the needs of the community and the availability of volunteers and community groups. The Commission reminds the licensee that if this increase in broadcast time results in non-compliance, it should reduce its broadcast week to a level that would enable it to adhere to its commitments at all times.

The Commission also approves the proposed level of 54.3% spoken word programming, noting that this level greatly exceeds the minimum objective of 35% set out in the policy on community radio. The Commission considers this to be rather ambitious given the resources at the licensee's disposal.

The Commission has noted the licensee's commitment to increase its levels of news and traditional and special interest music from 5 hours 3 minutes each to 8 hours per week. It also made a commitment to increase the level of English-language programming from 3 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours per week as a means of serving the anglophone minority within its coverage area. In addition, the licensee has allocated $5,000 annually for music specials featuring local artists.

The Commission approves the proposal to reduce the minimum time reserved for commercial-free programming produced by groups or individuals from the community from 5 hours to 3 hours per week. As outlined in Public Notice CRTC 1986-152 accompanying this decision, a community station must be defined particularly in terms of access. The Commission therefore expects the licensee to devote most of its programming to programs produced by community groups or individuals.

The Commission also approves the proposal to broadcast traditional advertising for up to 20% of its broadcast time, in accordance with the community radio policy for Type A stations.

The Commission acknowledges the written interventions submitted by the Association des radiodiffuseurs communautaires du Québec and the Conseil populaire des communications de l'est du Québec Inc. in support of the renewal of this licence. The Commission has also taken into account the concerns expressed at the hearing by the Association canadienne de la radio et de la télévision de langue française inc. regarding the proposed amendments to the licensee's Promise of Performance.

Fernand Bélisle
Secretary General