|
|
Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-79
|
|
|
Ottawa, 15 March 2006
|
|
|
La Co-opérative Radio Richmond limitée
Petit-de-Grat, Nova Scotia
|
|
|
Application 2005-0616-5
Public Hearing in the National Capital Region
19 December 2005
|
|
|
Community radio station in Petit-de-Grat
|
|
|
The Commission approves an application by La Co-opérative Radio Richmond limitéefor a broadcasting licence to operate a French-language Type A community radio station in Petit-de-Grat, Nova Scotia.
|
|
|
The application
|
|
1.
|
The Commission received an application by La Co-opérative Radio Richmond limitée (the Co-opérative) for a broadcasting licence to operate a French-language Type A community FM radio programming undertaking in Petit-de-Grat, Nova Scotia. The station would operate at 104.1 MHz (channel 281A) with an effective radiated power of 5,200 watts.
|
|
2.
|
The new station would air 126 hours of programming in each broadcast week with a minimum of 31 hours devoted to locally produced programming. The applicant would also offer programs originating from CKJM-FM Chéticamp, Nova Scotia, a Type A community radio station.
|
|
3.
|
The station's mandate would be to broadcast, among other programs, public service announcements, weather reports, community news, local, regional, national and international information, sports reports, arts and cultural information and any other type of spoken-word programming that would be consistent with the Co-opérative's goals and objectives.
|
|
4.
|
With respect to musical content, the applicant indicated that the new station would give priority to programming that features local artists. The station's musical programming would include a variety of musical styles, such as Acadian, country and western, retro, rock, pop, folk, Cajun, disco, jazz, classical and world music.
|
|
5.
|
In the area of local talent development, the applicant stated that the new station would give priority to programming that features local and regional artists with a view to showcasing their culture and music. The station would also provide information on these artists' career development, and air their performances. In addition, a weekly 120-minute program would be devoted to the local and regional cultural scene.
|
|
6.
|
The applicant indicated that it would provide station volunteers with ongoing professional training through workshops and mentoring arrangements with the station's experienced hosts. The applicant also planned to offer customized training to community members interested in participating in various committees, such as the programming or management committees.
|
|
|
Interventions
|
|
7.
|
The Commission received interventions in support of this application and a comment by the Association québécoise de l'industrie du disque, du spectacle et de la vidéo (ADISQ).
|
|
8.
|
In its comment, ADISQ stated that it did not intend to give this application its formal support. ADISQ asked the Commission to ensure that the applicant make a formal commitment to devote 85% of its programming to French-language vocal music selections. Furthermore, with respect to Canadian talent development, ADISQ expressed concern that the applicant did not propose direct contributions to third parties.
|
|
9.
|
The applicant did not reply to ADISQ's comment.
|
|
|
Commission's analysis and determination
|
|
10.
|
The Commission is satisfied that the applicant will comply with the Community radio policy, Public Notice CRTC 2000-13, 28 January 2000 (Public Notice 2000-13) with respect to the level of French-language vocal music, and that it is not necessary to impose an 85% requirement, as requested by ADISQ. In this regard, the Commission notes that, in accordance with Public Notice 2000-13, French-language community radio stations are expected to devote a minimum of 65% of vocal musical selections from content category 2 (Popular music) to French-language musical selections.
|
|
11.
|
With respect to ADISQ's comment concerning Canadian talent development, the Commission considers that the application complies fully with Public Notice 2000-13, which states that community radio stations are not required to make direct financial contributions to third parties for Canadian talent development. Instead, community radio stations are expected to present their plans for promoting and featuring music by new Canadian artists, local artists and artists whose music is seldom heard on other stations.
|
|
12.
|
Accordingly, the Commission approves the application by La Co-opérative Radio Richmond limitée for a broadcasting licence to operate a French-language Type A community FM radio programming undertaking in Petit-de-Grat. The station will operate at 104.1 MHz (channel 281A) with an effective radiated power of 5,200 watts.
|
|
13.
|
In accordance with Public Notice 2000-13 and with the applicant's commitment, the Commission expects the applicant to devote a minimum of 15% of the programming broadcast in each broadcast week to community-oriented spoken word programming.
|
|
14.
|
In accordance with Public Notice 2000-13, the licence for this community radio station will be granted to La Co-opérative Radio Richmond limitée, a not-for-profit organization without share capital, whose structure provides for membership, management, operation and programming by members of the community at large. The board of directors is ultimately responsible for compliance with the Radio Regulations, 1986 and the station's conditions of licence. The Commission reminds the licensee that the board of directors must represent the community at large at all times.
|
|
15.
|
The licence will expire 31 August 2012 and 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
|
|
16.
|
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.
|
|
17.
|
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.
|
|
18.
|
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 15 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.
|
|
|
Employment equity
|
|
19.
|
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 in PDF format or in HTML at the following Internet site: www.crtc.gc.ca
|
Date Modified: 2006-03-15