ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-52

Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-52

Ottawa, 14 February 2003

Joco Communications Inc.
Sturgeon Falls, Ontario

Application 2002-0232-5
Public Hearing at St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
10 December 2002

Low-power FM station in Sturgeon Falls

1.

The Commission approves the application by Joco Communications Inc. for a licence to operate a primarily English-language low-power FM radio programming undertaking at Sturgeon Falls, Ontario. Approximately 20% of all programming will be in the French language, and will be presented in block segments.

2.

The programming on the new station will include news, weather and sports, public service announcements and community announcements. The applicant proposed to offer a "Top 40" musical format.

3.

The station will operate at 99.3 MHz (channel 257LP) with an effective radiated power of 50 watts. It will operate in a single-station market as defined in Local programming policy for FM radio - definition of a single-station market, Public Notice CRTC 1993-121, 17 August 1993.

4.

The Commission received five interventions in support of this application.

5.

The licence will expire 31 August 2009 and will be subject to the conditionsset outin New licence form for commercial radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 1999-137, 24 August 1999, with the exception of condition of licence no. 9, relating to the solicitation of local advertising. That condition does not apply to stations operating in a single-station market. The licence will also be subject to the following condition:

• The licensee shall devote a minimum of $500 annually to an eligible third party for the development of Canadian talent, for expenses related to the holding of an annual talent contest and the production of a professional recording for the contest winner. Eligible third parties are those directly involved in the development of Canadian musical and other artistic talent, in accordance with Contributions by radio stations to Canadian talent development - A new approach, Public Notice CRTC 1995-196, 17 November 1995, as may be amended from time to time.

6.

The Commission requires the licensee to submit a final copy of its by-laws, reflecting changes to the composition of its board of directors, to comply with the requirements of the Direction to the CRTC (Ineligibility of Non-Canadians) P.C. 1997-486 as amended by P.C. 1998-1268.

7.

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

8.

The Commission reminds the licensee that, pursuant to section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, no licence may be issued until the Department notifies the Commission that its technical requirements have been met, and that a broadcasting certificate will be issued.

9.

Given that the technical parameters approved in this decision are for a low-power unprotected FM service, the Commission also reminds the licensee that it will have to select another frequency if the Department so requires.

10.

Furthermore, the licence for this undertaking will be issued once the licensee has informed the Commission in writing that it is prepared to commence operations. The undertaking 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 14 February 2005. In order to ensure that such a request is processed in a timely manner, it should be submitted at least 60 days before this date.

Employment equity

11.

In accordance with Implementation of an employment equity policy, Public Notice CRTC 1992-59, 1 September 1992, the Commission encourages the licensee to consider employment equity issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.

Secretary General