ARCHIVED - Decision CRTC 2001-354

Decision CRTC 2001-354

Ottawa, 15 June 2001

Alliance Autochtone Local 30 Mistassini
Dolbeau-Mistassini, Quebec 2000-1825-1 

26 February 2001 Public Hearing National Capital Region

New native FM radio programming undertaking

The Commission approves the application for a new Native FM radio station at Dolbeau-Mistassini. The terms and conditions of licence are set out in the appendix to this decision.

The applicant proposed to broadcast 126 hours of programming each week consisting of 70 hours in French, 7 hours in English and 49 hours in Montagnais and other native languages. It will provide 77 hours of locally-produced programming each week to cover the activities of the community at Dolbeau-Mistassini and broadcast news and public affairs programming with a native perspective.

The station will offer programming that reflects ancestral activities, habits and social life of the community. It will also broadcast native music.

The approval of this application reflects Public Notice CRTC 2001-70 also released today. As indicated in the notice, the Commission no longer imposes limits on the advertising broadcast by native stations. However, it requires that they broadcast a Canadian content level of at least 35% in popular (category 2) music. A condition of licence in this regard is set out in the appendix.

The Commission expects the licensee to devote, during French-language broadcast periods, at least 65% of its vocal musical selections from content category 2 to French-language musical selections.

In PN 2001-70, the Commission further encourages native radio stations that wish to broadcast wrap-around programming after their daily sign-off, to use programming from another native radio station or network.

The Commission received an intervention from Groupe Radio Antenne 6 indicating that the Dolbeau-Mistassini market could not support a new radio station without threatening the development and survival of its local station. The intervener also stated that, in its view, the applicant's promise of performance does not clearly indicate that its programming is specifically directed to the native community. The Commission considers that the applicant's commitment in this regard should be clear. It has therefore decided to require the applicant to broadcast a minimum of 45 hours per week of programming in native languages. A condition of licence in this regard is set out in the appendix.

Related CRTC documents

. Public Notice2001-70 - Changes to conditions of licence for certain native radio undertakings

. Public Notice 2000-14 - Revised content categories and subcategories for radio

. Public Notice 1990-89 - Native broadcasting policy

Secretary General

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

Appendix to Decision CRTC 2001-354

Terms of licence for the FM radio programming undertaking at Dolbeau-Mistassini

The Commission will only issue the licence, and it will only be effective at such time as:

· the licensee confirms in writing that it is ready to begin operation. This must take place within 12 months of today's date. Any request for an extension to that deadline requires Commission approval and must be made in writing within that period.

· the Department of Industry, having advised that the application is conditionally technically acceptable, has determined that there is no unacceptable interference with NAV/COM services and indicated that it will issue a broadcasting certificate (section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act).

The Commission will issue a licence for a native FM radio programming undertaking (Type B), expiring 31 August 2007.

The Department of Industry has advised that the undertaking will operate on the frequency 101.3 MHz, channel 267A1, with an effective radiated power of 250 watts, rather than on the frequency 89.9 MHz, channel 210, as indicated in Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 2001-1 dated 5 January 2001.

Conditions of licence

The licence will be subject to the conditions specified below and to any other condition specified in the licence to be issued.

1. The licensee must ensure that a minimum of 35% of Category 2 musical selections broadcast each broadcast week are Canadian selections.

2. The licensee must broadcast no less than 45 hours per week of programming in native languages.

3. The licensee must adhere to the provisions of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' (CAB) Broadcast code for advertising to children, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.

4. The licensee must 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 approved by the Commission.