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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-81
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Ottawa, 15 March 2006
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Radio Matagami
Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Quebec
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Application 2005-0561-2
Public Hearing in the National Capital Region
19 December 2005
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Community radio station in Lebel-sur-Quévillon
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The Commission approves an application by Radio Matagami for a broadcasting licence to operate a French-language Type A community radio station in Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Quebec.
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The application
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1.
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The Commission received an application by Radio Matagami for a broadcasting licence to operate a French-language Type A community FM radio programming undertaking in Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Quebec. The station would operate at 96.9 MHz (channel 245LP) with an effective radiated power of 37 watts.
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2.
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The new station would broadcast 126 hours of programming in each broadcast week, with a minimum of 100 hours devoted to locally produced programming. The station would also air a maximum of 21 hours of programming originating from CHEF-FM Matagami, a French-language Type A community FM radio station, the licence of which is held by Radio Matagami.
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3.
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According to the applicant, the station's local programming would reflect the needs and interests of the local community and would include local and regional news, sports, weather, current events and related surveillance and emergency messages.
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4.
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In the area of Canadian talent development, the applicant indicated that it would implement a local talent development plan designed to provide existing and upcoming artists with access to the airwaves. It added that all of the music and spoken word programming would originate within the community, providing a setting for performances by local talent.
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5.
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The applicant stated that it would recruit volunteers and train them, as needed, to ensure that a diversified programming schedule is developed and that the radio station operates smoothly from a broadcasting perspective.
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Interventions
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6.
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The Commission received interventions in support of this application as well as comment by the Association québécoise de l'industrie du disque, du spectacle et de la vidéo (ADISQ).
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7.
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In its comment, ADISQ stated that it did not intend to give this application its formal support. While applauding the applicant's commitments in the area of local talent development, ADISQ expressed concern that the applicant did not propose direct contributions to third parties.
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8.
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The applicant did not reply to ADISQ's comment.
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Commission's analysis and determination
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9.
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The Commission has considered the Radio Matagami application in light of the provisions of the Radio Regulations, 1986 (the Regulations) and the Community radio policy, Public Notice CRTC 2000-13, 28 January 2000 (Public Notice 2000-13).
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10.
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With respect to the ADISQ intervention, the Commission is satisfied that the application complies fully with Public Notice 2000-13. According to Public Notice 2000-13, community radio stations are not obligated to make direct contributions to third parties associated with Canadian talent development. They are rather 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.
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11.
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Accordingly, the Commission approves the application by Radio Matagami for a broadcasting licence to operate a French-language Type A community FM radio programming undertaking in Lebel-sur-Quévillon, Quebec. The station will operate at 96.9 MHz (channel 245LP) with an effective radiated power of 37 watts.
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12.
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In accordance with Public Notice 2000-13 and further to 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.
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13.
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In accordance with Public Notice 2000-13, the licence for this community radio station will be granted to Radio Matagami, 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 Regulations and the station's conditions of licence.
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14.
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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.
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Issuance of the licence
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15.
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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.
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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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17.
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Given that the technical parameters approved in this decision are for a low-power unprotected FM service, the Commission also reminds the applicant that it will have to select another frequency if the Department so requires.
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18.
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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 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.
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Employment equity
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19.
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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 in PDF format or in HTML at the following Internet site: www.crtc.gc.ca
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Date Modified: 2006-03-15