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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2023-251

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Reference: Part 1 licence renewal application posted on 27 October 2022

Ottawa, 14 August 2023

Stoke FM Radio Society
Revelstoke, British Columbia

Public record: 2022-0665-6

VF2590 Revelstoke – Licence renewal

Summary

The Commission renews the broadcasting licence for the low-power, English‑language community FM radio station VF2590 Revelstoke, British Columbia, from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2029. This short-term renewal will allow for an earlier review of the licensee’s compliance with its regulatory requirements.

Application

  1. The Commission has the authority, pursuant to subsections 9(1) and 9.1(1) of the Broadcasting Act, to issue and renew licences and to make orders imposing conditions on the carrying on of a broadcasting undertaking that it considers appropriate for the implementation of the broadcasting policy set out in subsection 3(1) of the Broadcasting Act.
  2. On 10 June 2022, the Commission issued Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2022-152,Footnote 1 which listed radio stations for which the broadcasting licences would expire 31 August 2023 and therefore needed to be renewed to continue their operations. In that notice of consultation, the Commission requested that the licensees of those stations submit renewal applications for their broadcasting licences.
  3. In response, Stoke FM Radio Society (Stoke FM) filed an application to renew the broadcasting licence for the very low-power, English-language community FM radio station VF2590 Revelstoke, British Columbia, which expires 31 August 2023.Footnote 2 The Commission received an intervention in support of this application.

Non-compliance

  1. Paragraph 10(1)(i) of the old Broadcasting Act, which was in effect while the licensee’s application was being considered, granted the Commission the authority, in furtherance of its objects, to make regulations requiring licensees to submit to the Commission such information regarding their programs and financial affairs or otherwise relating to the conduct and management of their affairs as the regulations may specify.
  2. Pursuant to this authority, the Commission made subsection 9(2) of the Radio Regulations, 1986 (the Regulations), which requires licensees to file an annual return, including financial statements, by no later than 30 November of a given year for the broadcast year ending the previous 31 August. The specific filing requirements, including the requirement to file financial statements, are set out in Broadcasting Information Bulletin 2011-795 and in Circular No. 404.
  3. Subsection 49(2) of the Online Streaming Act, which made a certain number of amendments to the Broadcasting Act when it came into force on 27 April 2023, stipulates that any regulation made pursuant to paragraph 10(1)(i) of the old Broadcasting Act is deemed to be an order made under section 9.1 of the new Broadcasting Act. Accordingly, subsection 9(2) of the Regulations is considered to be a condition of service pursuant to paragraph 9.1(1)(o) of the new Broadcasting Act, and licensees continue to be subject to this requirement.
  4. According to Commission records, the licensee’s annual returns for the 2019-2020 broadcast year were filed on 30 November 2022, two years after the 30 November 2020 deadline.
  5. Stoke FM stated that there was changeover in the executive director position in October 2020, and the current executive director, who started in February 2021, was unaware that the annual returns for the 2019-2020 broadcast year had not been filed.
  6. The licensee indicated that to address the situation, it has spent the last year reorganizing files into a cohesive database and has developed a responsibilities manifesto for the executive director position, which includes filing CRTC annual returns. The licensee’s board will oversee and monitor the progress of CRTC annual returns to ensure completion and will implement a minimum contract length of one year for the executive director role to ensure that regulatory standards and compliance measures are understood and met.
  7. In light of the above, the Commission finds the licensee in non-compliance with subsection 9(2) of the Regulations for the 2019-2020 broadcast year.

Regulatory measures

  1. The Commission’s approach to non-compliance by radio stations is set out in Broadcasting Information Bulletin 2014-608. Under that approach, each instance of non-compliance is evaluated in its context and in light of factors such as the number, recurrence and seriousness of the instances of non-compliance. The circumstances leading to the non-compliance, the arguments provided by the licensee and the actions taken to rectify the situation are also considered.
  2. In regard to the licensee’s non-compliance with subsection 9(2) of the Regulations, the Commission notes that the licensee took measures to address the missing annual returns for the 2019-2020 broadcast year, and that the annual returns for all other broadcast years in the licensee’s term were filed with the Commission on time. In addition, the licensee used the tools provided by the National Campus and Community Radio Association to file its annual returns. The Commission is satisfied with the licensee’s response and with the measures it has put in place to ensure compliance in the next licence term.
  3. Therefore, in light of the instance of non-compliance noted above, the Commission finds it appropriate to renew the licence for the station for a short-term period, which will allow for an earlier review of the licensee’s compliance with its regulatory requirements.

Conclusion

  1. In light of all of the above, the Commission renews the broadcasting licence for the very low-power, English language community FM radio programming undertaking VF2590 Revelstoke, British Columbia, from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2029.
  2. Pursuant to subsection 49(1) of the Online Streaming Act, the conditions of licence that existed prior to the date of royal assent of that Act are deemed to be conditions imposed under an order made pursuant to section 9.1 of the new Broadcasting Act. As such, the conditions of licence for this licensee became conditions of service and continue to apply to the licensee. For ease of reference, the conditions of service for this licensee are set out in the appendix to this decision. Further, the formal broadcasting licence document issued to a licensee may set out additional requirements for the undertaking, relating to, for example, technical parameters or prohibitions on transfer. The licensee shall also adhere to any such requirements set out in the broadcasting licence for the undertaking.

Reminders

  1. The Commission reminds the licensee that it must comply at all times with the requirements set out in the Broadcasting Act, the Regulations, its licence and its conditions of service.

Annual returns

  1. Licensees are responsible for filing complete annual returns on time. As set out in Broadcasting Information Bulletin 2011-795, it is the licensee’s responsibility to ensure that all appropriate forms and documentation are included with its annual returns, and to contact the Commission if further clarification is required.

Force and effect of broadcasting licences

  1. Pursuant to section 22 of the Broadcasting Act, the broadcasting licence renewed in this decision will cease to have any force or effect should the broadcasting certificate issued by the Department of Industry (also known as Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada) lapse.

Practical guide for radio licence renewals

  1. To learn more about the Commission’s review of compliance with requirements relating to radio licences, and about the radio renewal process, please consult the Commission’s Practical guide to radio licence renewals.

Secretary General

Related documents

This decision is to be appended to the licence.

Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2023-251

Terms, conditions of service, expectations and encouragement for the very low-power, English-language community FM radio programming undertaking VF2590 Revelstoke, British Columbia

Terms

The licence will expire 31 August 2029.

Conditions of service

  1. The licensee shall adhere to the conditions set out in Standard conditions of licence for campus and community radio stations, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2012-304, 22 May 2012, as well as to the conditions set out in the broadcasting licence for the undertaking.
  2. The licensee shall adhere to all applicable requirements set out in the Radio Regulations, 1986 that were made under paragraph 10(1)(a) or under paragraph 10(1)(i) of the old Broadcasting Act.Footnote 3

Expectations

Cultural diversity

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

Update on boards of directors of community and campus radio stations

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. Such information may be submitted through the Commission’s website.

Encouragement

The Commission considers that community radio stations should pay particular attention to employment equity in order to reflect fully the communities they serve. It encourages the licensee to consider employment equity in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.

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