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Ottawa, 22 November 1993
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Decision CRTC 93-680
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2971-6214 Québec Inc.
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Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague (Ravignan) and Sainte-Rose-de-Watford, Quebec - 930199500 - 930198700
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New cable distribution undertakings
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Following a Public Hearing in the National Capital Region beginning on 27 September 1993, the Commission approves the applications by 2971-6214 Québec Inc. for licences to carry on cable distribution undertakings to serve the above mentioned communities. The operation of these undertakings will be regulated pursuant to Parts I and III of the Cable Television Regulations, 1986 (the regulations).
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The Commission will issue licences expiring 31 August 1996, subject to the conditions specified in this decision and in the licences to be issued. This term is consistent with the Commission's practice regarding the licensing of new cable distribution undertakings regulated pursuant to Parts I and III of the regulations.
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The Commission approves the applicant's requests with respect to section 23 of the regulations. Accordingly, it is a condition of each licence that the applicant be relieved of the requirement that it distribute at least four television programming services as provided for in section 23 of the regulations, so long as it distributes only those U.S. television services listed in the current applications or as may be authorized by the Commission. In approving these requests, the Commission has taken into account the applicant's argument that the distribution of additional English-language CANCOM services is not warranted as its subscribers are almost exclusively francophone.
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The Commission notes that the applicant proposes to distribute The Nashville Network (TNN), which is a Part III eligible non-Canadian satellite service. This proposal is inconsistent with the applicant's argument in its requests for relief from the provisions of section 23 of the regulations, in which it claims that its subscribers do not wish to receive additional English-language services. Consequently, the Commission expects the applicant either to delete TNN from its distribution lists or to comply with the four-signal requirement of section 23. The applicant is required to file a report with the Commission, within three months of the date of this decision, confirming which of these two options it has chosen.
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In Public Notice CRTC 1992-59 dated 1 September 1992 and entitled "Implementation of an Employment Equity Policy", the Commission announced that the employment equity practices of broadcasters would be subject to examination by the Commission. It encourages the applicant to consider employment equity issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.
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It is a condition of each licence that construction of the undertaking be completed and that it be in operation within twelve months of the date of this decision or, where the applicant applies to the Commission within this period and satisfies the Commission that it cannot complete implementation before the expiry of this period and that an extension is in the public interest, within such further period of time as is approved in writing by the Commission.
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Allan J. Darling
Secretary General
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