ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2011-669
This page has been archived on the Web
Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. Archived Decisions, Notices and Orders (DNOs) remain in effect except to the extent they are amended or reversed by the Commission, a court, or the government. The text of archived information has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Changes to DNOs are published as “dashes” to the original DNO number. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats by contacting us.
Route reference: 2011-336
Ottawa, 26 October 2011
Stoke FM Radio Society
Revelstoke, British Columbia
Application 2011-0464-5, received 3 March 2011
Public hearing in the National Capital Region
18 July 2011
English-language developmental community FM radio station in Revelstoke
The Commission approves an application for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language, very low-power developmental community FM radio station in Revelstoke, British Columbia.
The application
1. The Commission received an application by Stoke FM Radio Society (Stoke FM) for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language, very low-power developmental community FM radio programming undertaking in Revelstoke, British Columbia. The Commission received interventions in support of this application.
2. Stoke FM is a not-for-profit corporation controlled by its board of directors.
3. The station would operate at 92.5 MHz (channel 223VLP) with an effective radiated power of 4 watts (effective height of antenna above average terrain of 10.5 metres).
4. The applicant indicated that, during each broadcast week, the station would broadcast 126 hours of programming, including one hour of French-language programming.
5. It further indicated that spoken word programming would consist of local news, educational programs, tourist information, programs featuring local artists, local politics and a program featuring local aboriginal artists.
6. The station’s musical programming would be drawn from content category 2 (Popular Music) and 3 (Special Interest Music) musical selections, and would consist of world music, as well as music from local musicians from the province of British Columbia.
7. Relating to the promotion of local Canadian talent, the applicant indicated that the radio station’s content would be diverse and inclusive, featuring the art and culture of all the local communities, including people with disabilities, which would be featured in either musical or spoken word programs.
8. Stoke FM, a non-profit corporation created to serve the community of Revelstoke, indicated that the station would be supported by local volunteers through fund raising and the donation of both time and equipment. Volunteers would continue to support the operation of the station through tasks that include, but are not limited to, hosting music shows and spoken word programs, delivering news, and creating features. The applicant also indicated that the station would employ two persons in the first year of operation to ensure consistency in programming quality and content, and that all other station operations would be run by a base of volunteers.
9. In Campus and community radio policy, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-499, 22 July 2010 (the Campus and community radio policy), the Commission announced a number of changes to the regulatory framework for campus and community stations. Stoke FM has confirmed that it will adhere to the changes set out in that policy.
Commission’s decision
10. As set out in the Campus and community radio policy, the Commission expects community-based radio stations to provide programming differing in style and substance from that provided by other elements of the broadcasting system, particularly commercial radio stations and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Such programming should consist of 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.
11. The Commission is satisfied that the application is consistent with the provisions for community radio stations set out in the Campus and community radio policy. Accordingly, the Commission approves the application by Stoke FM Radio Society for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language, very low-power developmental community FM radio programming undertaking in Revelstoke, British Columbia. The terms and conditions of licence are set out in the appendix to this decision.
Secretary General
*This decision is to be appended to the licence.
Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2011-669
Terms, conditions of licence, expectation and encouragement
Terms
Issuance of the broadcasting licence to operate an English-language, very low-power FM development community radio programming undertaking in Revelstoke, British Columbia.
The licence will expire 31 August 2016.
The new station will operate at 92.5 MHz (channel 223VLP) with an effective radiated power of 4 watts (effective height of antenna above average terrain of 10.5 metres).
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.
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.
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.
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 26 October 2013. 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.
Conditions of licence
1. The licence will be subject to the conditions set out in New licence form for community radio stations, Public Notice CRTC 2000-157, 16 November 2000, with the exception of conditions of licence 1 and 9.
2. The licensee shall adhere to the Equitable Portrayal Code, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
Expectation
Filing of ownership information
As set out in Campus and community radio policy, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-499, 22 July 2010, the Commission expects all community and campus licensees to file yearly updates on the composition of their boards of directors. These annual updates can be submitted at the time of submission of annual returns, following annual board of directors’ elections, or at any other time. As noted in Appendix 3 to that regulatory policy, licensees may submit such documentation via the Commission’s website.
Encouragement
Employment equity
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 licensee to consider these issues in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.
- Date modified: