ARCHIVED -  Decision CRTC 97-659

Decision

Ottawa, 26 November 1997

Decision CRTC 97-659

North Superior Broadcasting Ltd.

Licence renewal for CFNO-FM and its transmitters

1. Following Public Notice CRTC 1997-115 dated 29 August 1997, the Commission renews the broadcasting licence for the radio programming undertaking CFNO-FM Marathon and its transmitters CFNO-FM-1 Nipigon/Red Rock, CFNO-FM-2 Hornepayne, CFNO-FM-4 Geraldton, CFNO-FM-5 Longlac, CFNO-FM-6 Dubreuilville and CFNO-FM-8 Chapleau, from 1 December 1997 to 31 August 2001, 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.

2. This term will enable the Commission to assess at an early date the licensee's compliance with section 8 of the Radio Regulations, 1986 (the regulations) concerning the provision of logger tapes and with subsection 2.2(3) of the regulations which requires that a minimum of 30% of all musical selections broadcast each week from category 2 be Canadian.

3. On 2 February 1996, the Commission asked the station to submit logger tapes, a list of musical selections, the program log and a self-assessment report for the week of 21 to 27 January 1996.

4. The Commission advised the licensee that there was an apparent shortfall of 27% in Canadian content for the week in question and that incomplete portions of logger tapes were found during verification on four consecutive days between 21 January and 24 January 1996.

5. With respect to Canadian content, the licensee identified the play list schedule as the major concern. However, the licensee reiterated its commitment to Canadian content and instituted a quota system for its on-air staff, which should ensure that Canadian content requirements are met in the future.

6. With respect to logger tapes, the licensee identified a number of technical and procedural problems. Steps were taken to change the audio feed system to eliminate accidental interruptions of monitoring and procedures were revised emphasizing among staff the importance of working diligently to ensure proper recording.

7. While the Commission notes the licensee's assurance that it has taken concrete measures to ensure compliance with the regulations, the Commission reiterates the importance of ensuring that the regulations are adhered to at all times and will closely monitor the licensee's performance in this regard during the new licence term.

8. It is a condition of licence that this station not be operated within the Specialty format as defined in Public Notice CRTC 1995-60, or as amended from time to time by the Commission.

9. The licensee is required, by condition of licence, to make payments to third parties involved in Canadian talent development at the level identified for it in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' (CAB) Distribution Guidelines For Canadian Talent Development, as set out in Public Notice CRTC 1995-196 or as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission, and to report the names of the third parties associated with Canadian talent development, together with the amounts paid to each, on its annual return. The payments required under this condition of licence are over and above any outstanding commitments to Canadian talent development offered as benefits in an application to acquire ownership or control of the undertaking.

10. It is a condition of licence that the licensee adhere to the guidelines on gender portrayal set out in the CAB's Sex-Role Portrayal Code for Television and Radio Programming, as amended from time to time and accepted by the Commission. The application of the foregoing condition of licence will be suspended as long as the licensee remains a member in good standing of the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council.

11. 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. In this regard, the Commission encourages the licensee to consider employment equity issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.

This decision is to be appended to the licence.

Laura M. Talbot-Allan
Secretary General

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