ARCHIVED -  Decision CRTC 97-663

Decision

Ottawa, 1 December 1997

Decision CRTC 97-663

Nornet Broadcasting Ltd.

Blairmore, Alberta and Elkford, British Columbia - 199704242

Acquisition of assets

1. Following a Public Hearing in the National Capital Region on 22 September 1997, the Commission approves the application by Nornet Broadcasting Ltd. (Nornet) for authority to acquire the assets of the radio programming undertaking CJPR Blairmore and its transmitter CJEV Elkford, from Rogers Broadcasting Limited, and for a broadcasting licence to continue the operation of this undertaking.

2. The Commission will issue a licence to Nornet, expiring 31 August 2003, the current expiry date, upon surrender of the current licence. The licence will be subject to the same conditions as those in effect under the current licence, as well as to any other condition specified in this decision and in the licence to be issued.

3. The price of the transaction is $75,000. Based on the evidence filed with the application, the Commission has no concerns with respect to the availability or the adequacy of the required financing and is satisfied with the benefits flowing from this transaction.

4. The Commission notes that, although the applicant did not propose any tangible benefits, CJPR and CJEV have been unprofitable over the three years preceding filing of this application. Accordingly, the Commission is satisfied that the application meets the criteria set out in Public Notice CRTC 1993-68 entitled Application of the Benefits Test at the Time of Transfers of Ownership or Control of Broadcasting Undertakings. The Commission notes the important benefit associated with this transaction, that being the maintenance of CJPR and CJEV as viable, local radio services to Blairmore and Elkford. Accordingly, the Commission is of the view that approval of this application is in the public interest.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. In Public Notice CRTC 1992-59, the Commission announced implementation of its employment equity policy. It advised licensees that, at the time of licence renewal or upon considering applications for authority to transfer ownership or control, it would review with applicants their practices and plans to ensure equitable employment. In keeping with the Commission's policy, it 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

This document is available in alternative format upon request.