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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-70
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Ottawa, 14 March 2006
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UCFV Campus and Community Radio Society
Abbotsford, British Columbia
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Application 2005-0614-9
Public Hearing in the National Capital Region
19 December 2005
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Community-based campus FM radio station in Abbotsford, British Columbia
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The Commission approves in part the application by UCFV Campus and Community Radio Society (UCFV) for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language community-based campus FM radio station at the University College of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Specifically, the Commission approves the establishment of a new community-based campus FM radio station in Abbotsford but denies the proposed technical parameters. UCFV must submit, within three months of the date of this decision, an amendment to its application proposing new technical parameters that are acceptable to both the Commission and the Department of Industry.
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The application
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1.
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The Commission received an application initially filed by Douglas Malcolm McLean, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated (OBCI), now incorporated as UCFV Campus and Community Radio Society (UCFV), for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language community-based campus FM radio programming undertaking at the University College of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, British Columbia. UCFV proposed to operate the station at 88.5 MHz (channel 203A) with an average effective radiated power of 92 watts.
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2.
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The applicant stated that the proposed station would broadcast 126 hours of programming per broadcast week. Training in radio broadcasting would be provided for student volunteers, and community members would also be invited to participate in the station's programming. UCFV further indicated that members of the Punjabi, Mandarin, Spanish, Halk'eméylem and Aboriginal communities would be welcome to produce programming in their respective languages.
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3.
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The applicant proposed to broadcast a wide range of music including rock, pop, dance, country, acoustic, concert music, world beat, international music, jazz and blues. At least 5% of all musical selections broadcast during each broadcast week would be from category 3 (Special interest music), in accordance with the Campus Radio Policy, Public Notice CRTC 2000-12, 28 January 2000 (the Campus Radio Policy).
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4.
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The applicant further indicated that, in accordance with the Campus Radio Policy, at least 25% of programming aired during each broadcast week would be spoken word, including news, a lifestyle program and programs devoted to discussions of current events, culture and art.
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5.
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The Commission received several interventions in support of this application.
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Commission's analysis and determinations
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6.
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In paragraph 13 of the Campus Radio Policy, the Commission stated that the primary objective for campus radio stations is to:
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. provide programming differing in style and substance from that provided by other elements of the broadcasting system, particularly commercial stations and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). The Commission considers that campus stations should add diversity to the broadcasting system by providing alternative programming in both music and spoken word.
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7.
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The Commission defined two types of campus stations, namely community-based campus stations and instructional campus stations. Of the former, the Commission stated, in paragraph 21:
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The primary role of [community-based campus] stations is to provide alternative programming such as music, especially Canadian music, not generally heard on commercial stations (including special interest music as well as styles of popular music seldom broadcast), in-depth spoken word programming, and programming targeted to specific groups within the community.
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8.
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In the Campus Radio Policy, the Commission further stated that campus radio stations should rely on volunteers from the campus and from the community at large for their programming and operation.
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9.
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The Commission added, in paragraph 56 of the Campus Radio Policy, that it expects the board of directors of all campus radio stations "to include balanced representation from among the student body, the associated college or university (for example, faculty or administration), station volunteers, and from the community at large. To ensure continuity of direction, the Commission also encourages campus stations to establish positions on their boards of directors with terms of more than one year."
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10.
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The applicant has provided a complete description of the proposed radio undertaking in its application, and the Commission considers that it has successfully demonstrated that this new undertaking will provide programming diversity to the Abbotsford market. The Commission is further satisfied that the application conforms with all the applicable terms and conditions for community-based campus radio stations set out in the Campus Radio Policy. Accordingly, the Commission approves in part the application by UCFV Campus and Community Radio Society for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language community-based campus FM radio station at the University College of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford.
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11.
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The Department of Industry (the Department) has informed the Commission that the proposed technical parameters are technically unacceptable. The Commission therefore denies the portion of the application setting out the technical parameters. UCFV must file, within three months of the date of this decision, a further application proposing alternative technical parameters, acceptable to both the Commission and to the Department. The alternative technical parameters should provide excellent coverage to Abbotsford. The Commission notes that the applicant has expressed its intent to submit an amendment to the application which would provide alternative technical parameters.
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12.
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The licence, when issued, will expire 31 August 2012 and will be subject to the conditions set out in New licence form for campus radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 2000-156, 16 November 2000.
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Issuance of the licence
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13.
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The Commission will only issue the licence, and it will only be effective at such time as:
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- the applicant submits, within three months of the date of this decision, an amendment to its application proposing technical parameters that are acceptable to both the Commission and the Department, providing excellent technical service to Abbotsford. This amended application will form part of a public process; and
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- 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 March 2008. 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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14.
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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.
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Employment equity
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15.
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The Commission considers that campus 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 in PDF format or in HTML at the following Internet site: www.crtc.gc.ca
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Date Modified: 2006-03-14