ARCHIVED - Decision CRTC 2001-316

Decision CRTC 2001-316

Ottawa, 5 June 2001

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia
2000-0616-5

20 November 2000 Public Hearing
in Burnaby

Revised technical parameters for the new transmitter of CBUF-FM at Victoria - Denied

1. 9;

The Commission, by majority vote, denies the application to amend the broadcasting licence for CBUF-FM Vancouver by modifying the technical parameters of the transmitter at Victoria. The CBC proposed to operate the transmitter on the frequency 88.9 MHz, channel 205C1, with an effective radiated power of 2,800 watts.

2. 9;

In Decision CRTC 99-480 dated 28 October 1999, the Commission approved in part an application by the CBC to add a transmitter at Victoria in order to rebroadcast the signal of CBUF-FM Vancouver, and make available the Corporation's La Première Chaîne service. In that decision, the Commission directed the CBC to file an application for revised technical parameters predicated on the use of another frequency.

3. 9;

The Broadcasting Act requires that the programming of the CBC "be made available throughout Canada by the most appropriate and efficient means as resources become available for the purpose."

4. 9;

Decision CRTC 2000-2, which renewed the licence for the Corporation's French-language radio networks for seven years, included an expectation that the CBC's La Chaîne culturelle service be extended to all provincial capitals by the end of the licence term. The Commission notes that 88.9 MHz is the only remaining FM frequency in Victoria that is suitable for transmitting a stereo service. Using 88.9 MHz for La Première Chaîne, which is a monaural service, would make it impossible to establish a transmitter that would provide Victoria with a full and reliable stereo signal from La Chaîne culturelle on the FM band. The Commission's expectation regarding La Chaîne culturelle would therefore remain unfulfilled if the Commission approved this application.

5. 9;

The Commission therefore directs the Corporation to find a frequency in the Victoria area to broadcast the programming of CBUF-FM that would be more suitable for a monaural service. In this regard, it notes that the frequency 88.1 MHz could be used to provide monaural service to Victoria. This frequency could not, however, be used to provide a stereo service such as La Chaîne culturelle to Victoria because stereophonic operation would result in an unacceptable level of multi-path interference.

Related CRTC documents

. Public Notice 2001-63 - Introductory statement to Decisions CRTC 2001-312 to CRTC 2001-320: Radio applications considered at the 20 November public hearing in Burnaby, B.C.

. Decision 2000-2 - Licences for the CBC's French-language television and radio services renewed for seven years

Secretary General

This decision is available in alternative format upon request, and may also be examined at the following Internet site: www.crtc.gc.ca 

Dissent by Commissioner Jean-Marc Demers

Commissioner Jean-Marc Demers dissents from this and from four other majority decisions on applications for new or amended radio licences heard at the 20 November 2000 public hearing in Burnaby. The Commissioner dissents, as well, from Public Notice CRTC 2001-63 Introductory statement to Decisions CRTC 2001-312 to 2001-320: Radio applications considered at the 20 November 2000 public hearing in Burnaby, B.C. The rationale underlying Commissioner Demer's dissent is presented at the conclusion of Public Notice 2001-63.