ARCHIVED -  Decision CRTC 95-878

Decision

Ottawa, 30 November 1995

Decision CRTC 95-878

Standard Radio Inc.

Toronto, Ontario - 941897100

Licence renewal for CFRB

Following Public Notice CRTC 1995-50 dated 30 March 1995 and Decision CRTC 95-673 dated 30 August 1995, the Commission renews the broadcasting licence for CFRB Toronto and its short-wave transmitter CFRX, from 1 December 1995 to 31 August 1996, subject to the conditions in effect under the current licence, as well as to those conditions specified in this decision and in the licence to be issued.

The Commission received an intervention opposing this application from the National Congress of Italian Canadians - Toronto District. The intervener made reference to the large number of complaints filed with the Commission over the current licence term.

In reply, the licensee indicated that the station's format of talk programming is likely to provoke comment and controversy since it reaches a large number of listeners.

The Commission has noted the measures taken by the licensee in responding to various complaints received and made determinations on the basis of the information before it that the licensee did not breach the Broadcasting Act (the Act) or the Radio Regulations, 1986.

Nevertheless, the Commission also notes that, as part of the resolution of another complaint filed during the current licence term, the licensee had committed to develop and provide to the Commission, station guidelines with respect to open-line programs. The Commission considers that the development of such guidelines or code of ethics is essential to enable CFRB to ensure that its programming meets the high standards required of it and to continue to respond appropriately when complaints are received.

The short-term renewal granted herein will enable the Commission to consider the station's guidelines and to assess their effectiveness in the resolution of complaints and in providing programming of high standard, as required by the Act.

The Commission reaffirms the particular importance it attaches to the development of Canadian talent and is satisfied with the annual budgets and the initiatives proposed by the licensee in this respect.

In this regard, the Commission notes that, on 17 November 1995, it released Public Notice CRTC 1995-196 entitled "Contributions by Radio Stations to Canadian Talent Development - A New Approach". As a result of this public notice, licensees may apply for relief from the direct cost commitments for Canadian talent development considered as part of this licence renewal, and to amend their licence by adding a condition of licence requiring payments to third parties involved in Canadian talent development at the level identified for it in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' "Distribution Guidelines For Canadian Talent Development", as set out in the public notice.

It is a condition of licence that CFRB and its short-wave transmitter CFRX, carry the same programs.

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. The Commission recognizes the licensee's involvement in various employment equity initiatives including its support of women, disabled persons and visible minorities in broadcasting. Nevertheless, the Commission considers that the licensee could increase its efforts in relation to Aboriginal Peoples.

Allan J. Darling
Secretary General