ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2004-412

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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2004-412

  Ottawa, 14 September 2004
  Hornby Community Radio Society
Hornby Island, British Columbia
  Application 2003-1104-3
Public Hearing in the National Capital Region
7 June 2004
  Developmental community radio station on Hornby Island
  The Commission approves the application by Hornby Community Radio Society for a licence to operate an English-language developmental community FM radio station on Hornby Island.
 

The application

1.

The Commission received an application by the Hornby Community Radio Society for a licence to operate an English-language developmental community FM radio programming undertaking on Hornby Island, British Columbia. The proposed station would operate at 91.5 MHz (channel 218VLP) with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 5 watts.

2.

The applicant indicated that the proposed station would broadcast local programming that reflects the needs and interests of the community, including community recreational events, news and commentary as well as live coverage of local concerts and sports. The station would also broadcast storm warnings, and announcement concerning ferry problems and emergency information. Five hours of programming each week would be in French in order to serve the area's French-speaking residents.
 

Intervention

3.

The Commission received one intervention commenting on the application from CFCP Radio Ltd. The intervener expressed concern about an inquiry made by Hornby Community Radio Society concerning a possible variance from the provision of the Commission's Community Radio Policy, Public Notice CRTC 2000-13, 28 January 2000 (the Community Radio Policy), that limits developmental community FM radio stations to a maximum ERP of 5 watts. When it originally filed its application, Hornby Community Radio Society had raised the possibility of operating with an ERP of 20 watts.
 

The Commission's analysis and determination

4.

With respect to the concerns raised by CFCP Radio Ltd., the Commission notes that the applicant has withdrawn its request to operate with an ERP of 20 watts.

5.

In the Community Radio Policy, the Commission stated, among other things, that a community radio station's role is to provide community access to the airwaves and to offer diverse programming that reflects the needs and interests of the community that the station is licensed to serve. In the Community Radio Policy, the Commission introduced a streamlined regulatory framework for developmental community stations, which operate primarily for training purposes.

6.

The Commission is satisfied that this application is consistent with all the applicable terms and conditions for developmental community radio stations set out in the Community Radio Policy. The Commission therefore approves the application by Hornby Community Radio Society for a licence to operate an English-language developmental community FM programming undertaking on Hornby Island, British Columbia. The station will operate at 91.5 MHz (channel 218VLP) with an ERP of 5 watts.

7.

The licence will expire 31 August 2008. If the licensee wishes to continue the operation of the station beyond this period, it must, nine months before the expiry of its licence, file an application with the Commission for a regular community radio licence, or cease operations when its licence has expired.

8.

The licence will be subject to the conditions specified in New licence form for community radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 2000-157, 16 November 2000.
 

Issuance of the licence

9.

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.

10.

The Commission reminds the applicant 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.

11.

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

12.

Furthermore, the licence for this undertaking will be issued once the applicant 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 September 2006. 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

13.

The Commission considers that community radio stations should be particularly sensitive to employment equity issues in order to reflect fully the communities they serve. It encourages the applicant to consider these issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.
  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 

Date Modified: 2004-09-14

Date modified: