ARCHIVED - Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 2001-10
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Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 2001-10See also: 2001-10-1, 2001-10-2, 2001-10-3, 2001-10-4, 2001-10-5 |
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Ottawa, 14 September 2001 |
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The Commission will hold a public hearing commencing on 19 November 2001 at 9:00 a.m., at the Best Western Hotel Jacques-Cartier, 131 Laurier Street, Champlain Room, Montréal, Quebec, to consider the following: |
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APPLICANT AND LOCALITY |
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1 |
Astral Média Inc. |
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2 |
Telemedia Radio Inc./Telemedia Radio inc. (TRI Québec) |
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Glassbox Television Inc. |
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Société Minière Raglan du Québec Ltée |
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Aéroports de Montréal |
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Ile-a-la-Crosse Communication Society Inc. |
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7 |
Nor-Com Electronics Ltd. |
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1. |
Montréal, Chicoutimi, Trois-Rivières, Sherbrooke, Quebec City, Quebec, Hawkesbury, Ontario, Grand Falls, Plaster Rock, Woodstock, Fredericton, New Maryland, Omorocto, Bathurst, New Brunswick and Truro, Nova Scotia |
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Applications by ASTRAL MEDIA INC. (Astral Media), on behalf of 3903206 Canada inc. (TRI Québec), Telemedia Radio Atlantique Inc. (Telemedia Atlantique) and Radiomedia Inc. (Radiomedia), seeking authority to acquire effective control of those three companies by acquiring all shares held directly or indirectly by Telemedia Radio Inc. (Telemedia). |
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The transaction involves radio stations and networks operated by Telemedia in Québec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, specifically, the following undertakings: |
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- the 9 stations operated by Telemedia in Québec, namely, CITÉ-FM Montréal, CFIX-FM Chicoutimi, CHEY-FM Trois-Rivières, CITÉ-FM-1 and its transmitter CITÉ-FM-2 Sherbrooke, CIMF-FM Hull and its transmitter CIMF-FM-1 Hawkesbury (Ontario), CITF-FM Quebec City, CHLN Trois-Rivières, CHLT Sherbrooke, all French-language, and CKTS Sherbrooke, which broadcasts in English. The transaction also involves the transitional digital radio station CITÉ-FM Montréal, as well as the Radio Rock Détente network Montréal and the CHLN/CKSM radio network Trois-Rivières/Shawinigan; |
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- the 6 English-language stations that Telemedia Atlantique operates in New Brunswick, namely, CIKX-FM Grand Falls and its transmitter CJCJ-FM-2 Plaster Rock, CJCJ-FM Woodstock, CFXY-FM Fredericton, CIBX-FM Fredericton, CKHJ Fredericton and its transmitters CKHJ-FM-1 New Maryland and CKHJ-FM-2 Omorocto, CKBC Bathurst and CKHJ/CJCJ-FM (Woodstock) radio network. The transaction also involves radio stations in Nova Scotia, namely, CKTY-FM Truro and CKTO-FM Truro. |
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In addition, the transaction includes Telemedia's 50% interest in Radiomedia. The Commission notes that following the transaction, Astral Media would directly or indirectly own 100% of Radiomedia. As a result, Astral Media would also acquire the effective control of the French-language stations CKAC (Montréal) and CHRC (Québec). The Commission notes that Radiomedia also operates the transitional digital radio (TDR) station CKAC (Montréal), and Radiomedia's French-language information network, Réseau des Expos and Réseau des Canadiens. |
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Furthermore, once the transaction is completed, Astral Media wishes to proceed with a corporate reorganisation that would transfer Telemedia Atlantique from TRI Quebec as well as Radiomedia (50%) to Astral Radio Group Inc. (Astral Radio). |
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Astral Media also wishes the authority to wind up Radiomedia into Astral Radio. Therefore, Astral Media requests that Astral Radio be granted new licences under the same terms and conditions following the transfer of the following licences: CKAC Montreal, CHRC Québec, the TDR station CKAC Montreal, Radiomedia French-language information network, Réseau des Expos and Réseau du hockey des Canadiens. |
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The above applications involve several aspects of the broadcasting industry because of the resulting multiple ownership. The Commission notes that Astral Media operates mostly in the broadcasting and advertising sectors. In the broadcasting industry, Astral Media is a major presence in the radio sector, with 14 AM and FM stations in all major markets in Quebec. Astral Media is also a major player in specialty, pay and pay-per-view television services, and its mainly French-language services make it an important player in Quebec television. |
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The Commission notes that the transaction would also make Astral Media the largest radio operator in the Maritimes. |
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With the proposed transaction, Astral Media would be first in Quebec in terms of number of radio stations and revenues, and its presence in the broadcasting industry would grow significantly. That growth could raise a number of issues regarding concentration of ownership, particularly in radio. The proposed transaction could also raise issues such as: |
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The diversity of voices in Quebec |
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The proposed creation of the largest French-language radio player could reduce the diversity of voices available in Quebec. The Commission intends to examine the use of safeguards it may deem appropriate to ensure plurality of voices. |
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The potential market dominance arising from the transaction |
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Astral Media could be in a dominant position in the Quebec market with respect to advertising and French-language music distribution. Also, in some regions, Astral Media could become the sole source of local programming. |
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Consequently, the Commission intends to examine the potential adverse effects on the radio broadcasting system or the public, for example, whether the transaction would adversely affect other radio and television broadcasters in Quebec and hinder their ability to meet their regulatory obligations. To minimize potential adverse effects the Commission could examine the possibility of imposing specific conditions of licence addressing programming, suspensive approval conditions, and the possibility of a requirement for divestiture of business(es). |
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Common ownership |
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The Quebec region presents a particular situation. Currently, Astral Média, directly or indirectly, owns 100% of two radio stations (CHIK-FM and CFOM-FM) and has a 50% interest in another (CHRC). Astral Media would acquire another station (CITF-FM) as well as the other 50% of CHRC. According to the Commission's policy on common ownership, in markets with fewer than eight commercial stations operating in a given language such as in the Quebec region, an owner may be permitted to own or control as many as three stations operating in that language, with a maximum of two stations in any one frequency band. |
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If the transaction were approved, Astral Media would contravene the policy (Astral Media would own 4 stations in a market with fewer than 8 stations, three of them on the FM band). The Commission notes that to address the situation, Astral Media has committed to divest itself of station CFOM-FM. The Commission may examine Astral Media's commitment as well as other possibilities the Commission may deem appropriate. |
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In order to facilitate examination of this application by interested parties the Commission has prepared a study of the radio market in Quebec. (État du marché radiophonique au Québec, août 2001), which has been placed on the public file. |
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Applicant's address: |
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Examination of applications: |
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2. |
Chicoutimi, Trois-Rivières/Shawinigan, Sherbrooke, Hull, Montréal (Quebec) |
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Applications by TELEMEDIA RADIO INC. on behalf of 3903206 Canada inc. ("TRI Quebec") to undertake a corporate reorganization whereby Telemedia Radio (Quebec) Inc. will transfer to its wholly owned subsidiary TRI Quebec, all of its radio assets. |
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TRI Quebec will acquire the assets of 9 radio stations and related transmitters in Quebec (CFIX-FM Chicoutimi, CHLN Trois-Rivières, CHEY-FM Trois-Rivières, CHLT Sherbrooke, CIMF-FM Hull and its transmitter CIMF-FM-1 Hawkesbury (Ontario), CKTS Sherbrooke, CITF-FM Quebec, CITÉ-FM Montreal, CITÉ-FM-1 et CITÉ-FM-2 Sherbrooke), 2 radio networks (Radio Rock Détente Network Montreal and CHLN/CKSM Network Trois-Rivières/Shawinigan ) and the transitional digital radio CITÉ-FM Montreal. |
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The applicant is also requesting licences for the radio stations and networks to be granted to TRI Quebec, under the same current terms and conditions. |
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The corporate reorganization will not result in any change of control of the above undertakings. |
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Applicant's address: |
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Examination of applications: |
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3. |
Across Canada |
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Application by GLASSBOX TELEVISION INC. for a licence to operate a Category 2 national English-languagespecialty television service to be known as Short TV. |
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The applicant proposes to offer viewers a service devoted entirely to short-form films shot on film, video or created with computer animation. Short TV will showcase Canadian and International cutting edge short-form films, from 1 to 40 minutes in length. |
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Applicant's address: |
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Examination of application: |
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4. |
Kattiniq (Raglan Mine), and Kilometre 38, Quebec |
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Applications by SOCIÉTÉ MINIÈRE RAGLAN DU QUÉBEC LTÉE to acquire the assets of the radiocommunication distribution undertaking serving Kattiniq (Raglan Mine) currently held by Mary Van Walleghem. |
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The applicant is also requesting a licence to continue the operation of the undertaking upon surrender of the licence issued to Mary Van Walleghem. |
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The applicant proposes to distribute, in non-encrypted mode, at Kattiniq, the programming services of : |
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The applicant also proposes to add a transmitter at Kilometre 38 to distribute the programming of CITÉ-FM (IND) Montréal, Quebec on frequency 98.5 MHz (channel 253) with an effective radiated power of 100 watts. The applicant states that this would benefit the mine workers travelling the road between Kattiniq and Deception Bay. |
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The Commission will only proceed with this application at the public hearing if advised by the Department of Industry, at least ten days prior to the hearing, that it is technically acceptable. |
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Applicant's address: |
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Examination of application: |
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5. |
Ville Saint-Laurent, Dorval, Pointe-Claire and Lachine, Quebec |
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Application by AÉROPORTS DE MONTRÉAL for a licence to operate a French and English-language FM radio station at the above-mentioned locations. |
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The new station would operate on frequency 89.7 MHz (channel 209) with an effective radiated power of 1 watt. |
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The applicant proposes to offer Dorval airport clients a bilingual 12 minute programming service over a 24 hour period, 7 days a week. This service would give information regarding parking and road circulation. |
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The Commission will only proceed with this application at the public hearing if advised by the Department of Industry, at least ten days prior to the hearing, that it is technically acceptable. |
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Applicant's address: |
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Examination of application: |
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6. |
Ile-a-La-Crosse, Saskatchewan |
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Applications by ILE-A-LA-CROSSE COMMUNICATION SOCIETY INC. to acquire the assets of the radio station CILX-FM as well as the assets of the cable distribution undertaking serving Ile-a-La-Crosse. |
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The applicant is also requesting a broadcasting licence to continue the operation of the undertakings, upon surrender of the current licences issued to Belanger Communications Inc. |
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Applicant's address: |
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Examination of application: |
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7. |
Nipawin, Saskatchewan |
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Application by NOR-COM ELECTRONICS LTD. for a licence to operate an English-language FM radio station in Nipawin. |
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The applicant is proposing a mix of golden oldies with older soft rock music. |
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The new station would operate on frequency 94.7 MHz (channel 234B) with an effective radiated power of 14,800 watts. |
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The Commission will only proceed with this application at the public hearing if advised by the Department of Industry, at least ten days prior to the hearing, that it is technically acceptable. |
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Applicant's address: |
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Examination of application: |
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SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENTS |
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PERSONS REQUIRING COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT SUCH AS ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES AND SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION ARE REQUESTED TO INFORM THE COMMISSION AT LEAST TWENTY (20) DAYS BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE PUBLIC HEARING SO THAT THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE. |
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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION |
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DEADLINE FOR INTERVENTION |
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The intervention must be received by the CRTC and by the applicant ON OR BEFORE the above-mentioned date. The Commission cannot be held responsible for postal delays. |
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Your intervention will be considered by the Commission, and will form part of the public record of the proceeding without further notification to you, provided the procedure set out below has been followed. You will be contacted only if your submission raises procedural questions. |
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Submit your written intervention to the Secretary General of the Commission in ONLY ONE of the following formats: |
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BY ELECTRONIC MAIL TO |
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A true copy MUST be sent to the applicant and proof that this has been done must accompany the intervention sent to the Commission. |
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Where the intervention is filed by electronic means, the line ***End of document*** should be entered following the last paragraph of the document, as an indication that the document has not been damaged during electronic transmission. |
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Please note, that only the documents (applications and interventions) electronically filed will be available on the Commission's web site. You will be able to access these documents by indicating the public notice or the notice of public hearing number. |
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Each paragraph of the document should be numbered. |
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Your intervention should clearly identify the application and indicate whether you support or oppose the application, or if you propose changes to it, include the facts and grounds for your proposal. |
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In the event that the application is brought to the oral phase of the hearing, and if you wish to appear, you must provide reasons why your written comments are not sufficient and why an appearance is necessary. |
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In exceptional circumstances, the Commission may allow an intervenor to present its intervention by teleconference. At the time of filing its intervention, the intervenor must clearly indicate why the Commission should grant such a request. |
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Persons requiring communications support such as assistive listening devices and sign language interpretation are requested to inform the commission at least twenty (20) days before the commencement of the public hearing so that the necessary arrangements can be made. |
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EXAMINATION OF DOCUMENTS DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS |
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Documents are available at the local address provided in this notice and at the Commission offices and documentation centres directly involved with these applications or, upon request, within 48 hours, at any other CRTC offices and documentation centres. |
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Central Building |
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Bank of Commerce Building |
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405 de Maisonneuve Blvd. East |
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55 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 624 |
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Kensington Building |
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Cornwall Professional Building |
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10405 Jasper Avenue, Suite 520 |
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530-580 Hornby Street |
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This document is available in alternative format upon request and may also be examined at the following Internet site: |
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Secretary General |
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Date Modified: 2001-09-14
- Date modified: