ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2002-456

Location

Frequency/Channel

Effective radiated power

Owen Sound

97.1 MHz / 246B

17,500 watts

Orillia

90.7 MHz / 214B1

4,800 watts

Huntsville

104.7 MHz / 284C1

70,000 watts

Interventions

3.

The Commission received several interventions in support and one intervention opposing CBC's proposal. The opposing intervention was from Mr. Ian Byers, President and Owner of CFBK/MORE FM Huntsville. Mr. Byers stated that the CBC should require only 3,000 watts to 4,000 watts to serve Huntsville and that the proposed 70,000 watts is excessive, an unnecessary taxpayer expense and an attempt to attract listeners from a small-town operator.

4.

Tricia and Norman Backhouse of Huntsville, while expressing support for the Huntsville application, raised a concern about the unreliability of the Radio One reception at Huntsville and queried whether poor reception would also affect the proposed new transmitter.

The applicant's reply

5.

In reply to Mr. Byers' intervention, the CBC indicated that the current application is the optimal solution, given the frequencies available, and is in keeping with its mandate under the Broadcasting Act to provide services to as many Canadians as possible by the most effective and efficient means.

6.

The CBC added that it plans to use its own existing tower facilities and that decreasing the transmitter power at Huntsville would likely require leasing or contracting an additional facility which would be more expensive. It added that Radio Two is a distinctive cultural programming service that, by condition of licence, is completely commercial free, and will, therefore, not create competition for advertising with private radio stations.

In reply to Tricia and Norman Backhouse's intervention, the CBC pointed out that past losses of reception were caused by electrical power supply disruptions and that it intends to evaluate the cost effectiveness of installing its own stand-by electrical generator to address this problem. It also noted that major ventilation repairs have already improved service at the Huntsville transmitter site.

The Commission's analysis and conclusion

8.

With respect to Mr. Byers' concerns, the Commission is of the view that the proposed 70,000 watts will allow the CBC to effectively cover the Huntsville area and that a power reduction would likely cause a loss of Radio Two service to potential listeners in that area.

9.

Further, the Commission considers that the CBC has adequately addressed the concerns raised by Tricia and Norman Backhouse and notes the statement by the CBC that it has taken steps to correct the matter of poor reception on both Radio One and Radio Two.

10.

Accordingly, the Commission approves the CBC's applications for new transmitters at Owen Sound, Orillia and Huntsville.

11.

The Department of Industry (the Department) has advised the Commission that, while these applications are conditionally technically acceptable, it will only issue broadcasting certificates when it has determined that the proposed technical parameters will not create any unacceptable interference with aeronautical NAV/COM services.

12.

The Commission reminds the licensee that, pursuant to section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, this authority will only be effective when the Department notifies the Commission that its technical requirements have been met, and that broadcasting certificates will be issued.

The transmitters must be operational at the earliest possible date and in any event no later than 24 months from the date of this decision, unless a request for an extension of time is approved by the Commission before 18 December 2004. In order to ensure that such a request is processed in a timely manner, it should be submitted in writing at least 60 days before this date.

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