ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2012-275
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Route reference: 2011-675
Additional references: 2011-675-2 and 2011-675-3
Ottawa, 9 May 2012
Cowessess Community Projects Inc.
Cowessess, Saskatchewan
Application 2011-0928-1, received 7 June 2011
Public hearing in Miramichi, New Brunswick
16 January 2012
Type B Native FM radio station in Cowessess
The Commission approves an application for a broadcasting licence to operate an English- and Cree-language, low-power Type B Native FM radio station in Cowessess, Saskatchewan.
The application
1. The Commission received an application by Cowessess Community Projects Inc. (CCP) for a broadcasting licence to operate an English- and Cree-language, low-power Type B Native FM radio programming undertaking in Cowessess, Saskatchewan. The Commission did not receive any interventions in connection with this application.
2. CCP is a not-for-profit corporation controlled by its board of directors.
3. The station would operate at 98.1 MHz (channel 251LP) with an effective radiated power of 49 watts (effective height of antenna above average terrain of 25 metres).
4. CCP indicated that the programming would include music and spoken word content that would provide the community with local news, current events and public announcements. It further indicated that it would also provide educational Cree programming, and that this would teach its listenership to speak the Cree language. The applicant also indicated that during each broadcast week, it would offer 126 hours of station-produced programming, with a minimum of ten hours in the Cree language. Programs would include recorded music, locally-produced community profiles, and promotional announcements. Finally, CCP indicated that it expects to broadcast 30 hours of live station-produced programming per broadcast week upon start up, and that this amount would increase as its broadcasting experience grows.
5. In regard to local talent development, the applicant indicated that it plans to broadcast music by local artists, including a wide range of pow-wow music, round dance music, and fiddle music, all of which would showcase the Cree and Métis heritages.
Commission’s decision
6. The Commission is satisfied that the application is consistent with the provisions for Type B Native radio stations set out in Native Broadcasting Policy, Public Notice CRTC 1990-89, 20 September 1990. Accordingly, the Commission approves the application by Cowessess Community Projects Inc. for a broadcasting licence to operate an English- and Cree-language, low-power Type B Native FM radio programming undertaking in Cowessess, Saskatchewan. The terms and conditions of licence are set out in the appendix to this decision.
7. As set out in the terms section of the appendix to this decision, since the proposed radio station will be a low-power unprotected service, the applicant will have to select another frequency if the Department of Industry so requires.
Secretary General
*This decision is to be appended to the licence.
Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2012-275
Terms and conditions of licence for the English- and Cree-language, low-power Type B Native FM radio programming undertaking in Cowessess, Saskatchewan
Terms
The licence will expire 31 August 2018.
The station will operate at 98.1 MHz (channel 251LP) with an effective radiated power of 49 watts (effective height of antenna above average terrain of 25 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 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 9 May 2014. 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.
The Commission requires the applicant to file within 12 months of the date of this decision a copy of its amended and executed by-laws in order to comply at all times with the Direction to the CRTC (Ineligibility of non-Canadians).
Conditions of licence
1. The licensee shall devote, in each broadcast week, not less than 35% of its musical selections from content category 2 (Popular Music) to Canadian selections broadcast in their entirety.
For the purposes of this condition of licence, the terms “broadcast week,” “Canadian selection,” “content category” and “musical selection” shall have the same meaning as that set out in the Radio Regulations, 1986.
2. The licensee shall adhere to the Equitable Portrayal Code, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
3. The licensee shall adhere to the Broadcast Code for Advertising to Children, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
Encouragement
The Commission notes the challenges related to operating a local programming service in a community with a small population. Nonetheless, the Commission encourages Cowessess Community Projects Inc. to pursue local community radio programming content and to increase the number of hours devoted to this local programming.
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