ARCHIVED -  Decision CRTC 96-14

Decision

Ottawa, 16 January 1996

Decision CRTC 96-14

Missinnippi River Native Communications Inc.

Pukatawagan, Manitoba - 951989300

New native radio programming undertaking

Following a Public Hearing in the National Capital Region held on 7 November 1995, the Commission approves the application for a broadcasting licence for an English-and Native-language FM radio programming undertaking at Pukatawagan, on the frequency
98.3 MHz, channel 252LP, with an effective radiated power of 34.8 watts.

Consistent with Public Notice CRTC 1990-89 dated 20 September 1990 entitled "Native Broadcasting Policy" and subject to the requirements of this decision, the Commission will issue a licence for a Type A FM native radio undertaking. This licence will expire on 31 August 1999, and will be subject to the conditions specified in the licence to be issued.

The licence term granted herein, while less than the maximum of seven years permitted under the Broadcasting Act, will enable the Commission to consider the renewal of this licence in accordance with the Commission's regional plan for native radio undertakings across Canada and to better distribute the workload within the Commission.

The Commission notes that the applicant will broadcast 77 hours per week of local programming, of which 25 hours will be in native languages and 59 hours in English.

The applicant is reminded of the requirements for Canadian musical selections set out in the Radio Regulations, 1986.

The applicant is a not-for-profit organization incorporated under the Manitoba Corporations Act. Noting that this not-for-profit corporation will be supported in part by government loans or grants, the Commission reminds the applicant that it must retain full control over all management and programming decisions at all times.

The Department of Industry has advised that the undertaking will operate at an effective radiated power of 34.8 watts rather than 50 watts as indicated in CRTC Notice of Public Hearing 1995-13 dated 8 September 1995.

This authority will only be effective and the licence will only be issued at such time as construction of the undertaking is completed and it is prepared to commence operation. If the construction is not completed 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 construction and commence operation before the expiry of this period and that an extension of time is in the public interest, within such further period of time as is approved in writing by the Commission, the licence will not be issued. The applicant is required to advise the Commission (before the expiry of the twelve-month period or any extension thereof) in writing, once it has completed construction and is prepared to commence operation.

The Department of Industry has advised the Commission that this application is conditionally technically acceptable, and that a Broadcasting Certificate will only be issued once it has been determined that the proposed technical parameters will not create any unacceptable interference with aeronautical NAV/COM services.

In accordance with subsection 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, the Commission will only issue the licence and the authority will only be granted at such time as written notification is received from the Department of Industry that its technical requirements have been met, and that a Broadcasting Certificate will be issued.

Allan J. Darling
Secretary General