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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-38
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Ottawa, 3 February 2005
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Creston Community Radio Society
Creston, British Columbia
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Application 2004-0457-5
Public Hearing in the National Capital Region
29 November 2004
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Community FM radio station in Creston
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In this decision, the Commission approves the application for a broadcating licence to operate a community radio programming undertaking at Creston, British Columbia.
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The application
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1.
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The Commission received an application by Creston Community Radio Society for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language FM type B community radio programming undertaking at Creston, British Columbia. The proposed station would operate at 97.7 MHz (channel 249LP) with an effective radiated power of 20 watts.
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2.
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The Department of Industry (the Department) has advised the Commission that the undertaking would have an effective radiated power of 20 watts, rather than 50 watts as indicated in Broadcasting Notice of Public Hearing CRTC 2004-9, 30 September 2004.
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3.
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The applicant indicated that the station would broadcast 112 hours of programming in each broadcast week, and that all of the programming would be locally-produced. The station would offer a variety of popular (Category 2) & special interest (Category 3) music.
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4.
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The applicant stated that it would provide ongoing training and supervision of volunteers wishing to participate in the proposed station.
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Interventions
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5.
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The Commission received two interventions in connection with this application.
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6.
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Standard Radio Inc. (Standard) indicated that this application appears to meet all of the objectives of the Commission's Community Radio Policy, Public Notice CRTC 2000-13, 28 January 2000 (the Community Radio Policy) and if licensed, could make a meaningful contribution to the community. Standard expressed the concern, however, that applications such as the current one do not fulfil the objectives of the Broadcasting Act (the Act) and appear to provide low-cost entry into commercial broadcasting to compete with local broadcasters. As the operator of an AM transmitter in Creston, Standard suggested that the Commission should consider appropriate conditions of licence and mechanisms to ensure that the licensee does not deviate from what is proposed in its application.
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7.
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The second intervention was filed by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). The CBC indicated that, while it did not oppose the new community radio programming undertaking in Creston, the frequency proposed for this new undertaking is in conflict with the FM channel proposed by the CBC in its Long Range Radio Plan (LRRP) for its Radio Two service on channel 249A at Creston. The CBC indicated that it wished to retain the current technical authority for its LRRP transmitter at Creston.
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8.
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The applicant provided no response to these interventions.
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The Commission's analysis and determination
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9.
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The Commission has considered this application in light of the provisions of the Radio Regulations, 1986 (theRegulations) and the Community Radio Policy.
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10.
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Regarding Standard's intervention, the Commission considers that the application complies with all aspects of the Regulations and the Community Radio Policy, and is of the view that the standard conditions of licence applying to all community radio stations are sufficient to ensure a service that offers an alternative to commercial radio.
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11.
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In regards to the CBC comment, given that the technical parameters approved in this decision are for a low-power unprotected FM service, the Commission reminds the applicant that it will have to select another frequency if the Department of Industry so requires.
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12.
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Based on the foregoing, the Commission approves the application by Creston Community Radio Society for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language FM type B community radio programming undertaking in Creston. The station will operate at 97.7 MHz (channel 249LP) with an effective radiated power of 20 watts.
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13.
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The licence will expire 31 August 2011 and will be subject to the conditions of licence set outin New licence form for community radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 2000-157, 16 November 2000.
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Issuance of the licence
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14.
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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.
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15.
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The Commission reminds the applicant that, pursuant to section 22(1) of the 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.
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16.
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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 3 February 2007. In order to ensure that such a request is processed in a timely manner, it should be submitted at least 60 days before that date.
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Employment equity
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17.
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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.
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Secretary General
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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
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Date Modified: 2005-02-03