ARCHIVED -  Decision CRTC 97-640

Decision

Ottawa, 18 November 1997

Decision CRTC 97-640

Corporation de développement économique de Radisson

New community radio programming undertaking

1. Following a Public Hearing in the National Capital Region held on 22 September 1997, the Commission approves the application for a broadcasting licence for a French-language FM community radio programming undertaking at Radisson, on the frequency 103.1 MHz (channel 276LP), with an effective radiated power of 17 watts.

2. Consistent with Public Notice CRTC 1992-38 dated 29 May 1992 entitled Policies for Community and Campus Radio and subject to the requirements of this decision, the Commission will issue a licence for a Type A community radio station. This licence will expire on 31 August 2004, and will be subject to the conditions specified in this decision and in the licence to be issued.

3. The Commission expects community radio to develop innovative and alternative forms of community-oriented programming that contribute to the diversity and variety of radio services within a community. It also expects community radio to focus on all aspects of the community, by offering programming which examines issues affecting all of its members, as well as programs which deal with matters of interest to specific elements within it, such as neighbourhoods, surrounding towns, villages, and specific interest groups.

4. In this regard, the Commission notes that the station will broadcast 112 hours of local programming per broadcast week. The applicant pointed out that it intends to "encourage the production of programs targeting residents of Radisson". A minimum of 15% of these programs will consist of spoken word programming made up of local and regional news (80% and 20%, respectively), of public affairs programming and of interviews with local stakeholders.

5. The Commission notes the station's commitment, in its Promise of Performance, to maintain a minimum of 12% Category 3 music (Traditional and Special Interest) within its overall music programming.

6. The Commission notes that this community station is owned and controlled by a not-for-profit organization whose structure provides for membership, management, operation, and programming primarily by members of the community at large.

7. The Commission reminds the applicant that involvement of volunteer staff does not relieve it of the requirement to abide by the Radio Regulations, 1986 and the station's conditions of licence.

8. It is a condition of licence that the licensee adhere to the guidelines on gender portrayal set out in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' (CAB) Sex-Role Portrayal Code for Television and Radio Programming, as amended from time to time and accepted by the Commission.

9. It is also a condition of licence that the licensee adhere to the provisions of the CAB's Broadcast Code for Advertising to Children, as amended from time to time and accepted by the Commission.

10. 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 considers that community radio stations should be particularly sensitive to this issue in order to reflect fully the communities they serve. It encourages the licensee to consider employment equity issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.

11. 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 periods of time as are 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

This decision is to be appended to the licence.

Laura M. Talbot-Allan
Secretary General

This document is available in alternative format upon request.