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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2020-406

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References: Part 1 licence renewal applications posted on 30 October 2020

Ottawa, 21 December 2020

Vista Radio Ltd.
Grand Forks, Christina Lake, Greenwood and Rock Creek, British Columbia; and Medicine Hat, Alberta

Public record for these applications: 2019-0762-7 and 2019-0765-1

CKGF-FM Grand Forks and its transmitters CKGF-1-FM Christina Lake, CKGF-2-FM Greenwood and CKGF-3-FM Rock Creek; and CJLT-FM Medicine Hat – Licence renewals

  1. The Commission has the authority, pursuant to section 9(1) of the Broadcasting Act, to issue and renew licences for such terms not exceeding seven years and subject to such conditions related to the circumstances of the licensee as it deems appropriate for the implementation of the broadcasting policy set out in section 3(1) of the Broadcasting Act.
  2. Consistent with that authority, the Commission renews the broadcasting licences for the English-language commercial radio programming undertakings listed below from 1 March 2021 to 31 August 2027.Footnote 1 The Commission did not receive any interventions in regard to these applications. The terms and conditions of licence for these stations are set out in the appropriate appendices to this decision.
    Call sign and locality Application number
    CKGF-FM Grand Forks, British Columbia, and its transmitters CKGF-1-FM Christina Lake, CKGF-2-FM Greenwood and CKGF-3-FM Rock Creek 2019-0765-1
    CJLT-FM Medicine Hat, Alberta 2019-0762-7

CKGF-FM and remaining Canadian content development contributions

  1. As specified in condition of licence 2 set out in the appendix to Broadcasting Decision 2014-95, the original licensing decision for CKGF-FM, Vista Radio Ltd. was required to make, in addition to the basic annual contribution to Canadian content development (CCD) set out in section 15 of the Radio Regulations, 1986 (the Regulations), an annual over-and-above CCD contribution of $1,000 ($7,000 over seven consecutive broadcast years) to the promotion and development of Canadian content upon commencement of operations.
  2. Based on this payment schedule, the licensee will fulfill the above CCD contribution requirement by the end of the 2021-2022 broadcast year, after which it will only be subject to the basic annual CCD contribution requirement set out in the Regulations. Accordingly, the Commission considers that it would be appropriate to reiterate the condition of licence imposed on CKGF-FM in Broadcasting Decision 2014-95, but with modifications to indicate the remaining broadcast years during which the licensee must make over-and-above CCD contributions. This condition of licence is set out in Appendix 2 to this decision.

Reminders

Local news and information – CJLT-FM Medicine Hat

  1. Local radio stations are an important daily source of local news and information for communities. Holding a broadcasting licence comes with conditions, regulatory obligations and responsibilities, which include contributing to the Canadian broadcasting system by ensuring that Canadians have access to local programming that reflects their needs and interests and informs them of important current issues.
  2. The licensee proposed for CJLT-FM to broadcast 1 hour and 31 minutes of news each week.
  3. Although Broadcasting Public Notice 2006-158 does not specify a minimum level of weekly news to be broadcast, it does specify the type of spoken word material that must be included as part of a station’s local programming. In accordance with that public notice, the Commission reminds the licensee that the above-noted station, in its local programming, must incorporate spoken word material of direct and particular relevance to the communities served, and that this programming must include local news, weather, sports coverage, and the promotion of local events and activities. In addition, the Commission encourages the licensee to ensure that a reasonable amount of daily local news and information is made available to those communities.

Force and effect of broadcasting licences

  1. Pursuant to section 22 of the Broadcasting Act, the broadcasting licences renewed in this decision will cease to have any force or effect if the broadcasting certificates issued by the Department of Industry lapse.

Employment equity

  1. Because the licensee is subject to the Employment Equity Act and files reports concerning employment equity with the Department of Employment and Social Development, its employment equity practices are not examined by the Commission.

Secretary General

Related documents

This decision and the appropriate appendix are to be appended to each licence.

Appendix 1 to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2020-406

Terms, conditions of licence and expectation for the commercial specialty (Christian music) radio programming undertaking CJLT-FM Medicine Hat, Alberta

Terms

The licence will expire 31 August 2027.

Conditions of licence

  1. The licensee shall adhere to the conditions of licence set out in Conditions of licence for commercial AM and FM radio stations, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2009-62, 11 February 2009, with the exception of condition of licence 7, as well as to the conditions set out into the broadcasting licence for the undertaking.
  2. The station shall be operated within the Specialty format as defined in A Review of certain matters concerning radio, Public Notice CRTC 1995-60, 21 April 1995, and Revised content categories and subcategories for radio, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-819, 5 November 2010.
  3. The licensee shall devote at least 95% of all musical selections broadcast each broadcast week to selections from subcategory 35 (Non-classic religious), as defined in Revised content categories and subcategories for radio, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-819, 5 November 2010.
  4. Where the licensee broadcasts religious programming as defined in Religious Broadcasting Policy, Public Notice CRTC 1993-78, 3 June 1993, the licensee shall adhere to the guidelines set out in sections III.B.2.a) and IV of that public notice with respect to the provision of balance and ethics in religious programming.
  5. The licensee shall adhere to the Commission’s policy regarding open-line programming, as set out in Policy regarding open-line programming, Public Notice CRTC 1988-213, 23 December 1988.

Expectation

The Commission expects the licensee to reflect the cultural diversity of Canada in its programming and employment practices.

Appendix 2 to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2020-406

Terms, conditions of licence and expectation for the commercial radio programming undertaking CKGF-FM Grand Forks, British Columbia, and its transmitters CKGF-1-FM Christina Lake, CKGF-2-FM Greenwood and CKGF-3-FM Rock Creek

Terms

The licence will expire 31 August 2027.

Conditions of licence

  1. The licensee shall adhere to the conditions of licence set out in Conditions of licence for commercial AM and FM radio stations, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2009-62, 11 February 2009, as well as to the conditions set out into the broadcasting licence for the undertaking.
  2. To fulfill its outstanding commitments to Canadian content development (CCD) set out in the appendix to English-language FM radio station in Grand Forks,Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2014-95, 3 March 2014, the licensee shall, in addition to the basic annual contribution to CCD set out in section 15 of the Radio Regulations, 1986, make contributions of $1,000 during the 2020-2021 broadcast year and of $1,000 during the 2021-2022 broadcast year to the promotion and development of Canadian content. Of these amounts, no less than 20% per broadcast year shall be devoted to FACTOR or Musicaction. The remainder shall be allocated to parties and initiatives fulfilling the definition of eligible initiatives set out in paragraph 108 of Commercial Radio Policy 2006, Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2006-158, 15 December 2006.

Expectation

The Commission expects the licensee to reflect the cultural diversity of Canada in its programming and employment practices.

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