Broadcasting - Commission letter adressed to Pierre Campagna (Radio Edmundston Inc.)
Ottawa, 11 July 2022
BY EMAIL
Pierre Campagna
Radio Edmundston Inc.
64 Rice Road
Edmundston (NB)
serge@frontiere.fm
Re: Audit of Radio Edmundston Inc.’s Canadian content development contributions
Background
As part of its processes to audit Canadian content development contributions and tangible benefits payments, the Commission discovered that Radio Edmundston Inc. (Radio Edmundson) may not have been making the required tangible benefits payments set out in the Commission’s letter decision of 28 November 2016 (L2016-0100). In particular, as part of a transaction changing the effective control of CJEM-FM, the Commission determined that tangible benefits would have to be paid in the amount of $13,980 over a period of seven consecutive years ($1,997/year). It appears, however, that Radio Edmundston Inc. (Radio Edmundston) did not make any of its required annual tangible benefits payments of $1,997/year for the 2016-2017, 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 broadcast years, for a total shortfall of $5,991.
In a request for information, the licensee was asked to address the above-noted issues.
Radio Edmundston’s response
In a response dated 9 November 2021, the company admitted to not having made the payments noting that in the midst of numerous changes that were happening at the time, it inadvertently overlooked this requirement. Radio Edmunston apologized for its error and stated that it would comply with any Commission decision on this issue.
Commission Analysis and Determinations
The licensee admits to not having made the required payments.The Commission appreciates the licensee’s candour but nevertheless finds that Radio Edmundston is in non-compliance with the requirements set out by the Commission in its letter decision dated 28 November 2016 (L2016-0100).
The Commission therefore directs Radio Edmundston to make up its $5,991 shortfall within 30 days of the date of this decision in the following manner:
- $3,595 to Fonds Radiostar (60%),
- $1,797 to Musicaction (30%), and
- $599 to the CRFC (10%).
Radio Edmunston is also directed to provide the Commission with proof of these payments within 60 days of the date of this decision.
The Commission reminds Radio Edmundston that should the licensee fail to pay the required tangible benefits, that the Commission may impose a condition of licence to this effect during the next licence renewal.
Finally, note that this decision only covers the requirements for the 2016-2017 to 2018-2019 broadcast years and does not cover any of the subsequent broadcast years.
Yours sincerely,
Original signed by
Claude Doucet
Secretary General
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