Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2023-270
Reference: Part 1 licence renewal application posted on 31 March 2023
Ottawa, 22 August 2023
Sonème (2007) inc.
Mont-Laurier, Quebec
Public record: 2022-0414-7
CFLO-FM Mont-Laurier and its transmitter CFLO-FM-1 L’Annonciation – Licence renewal
- 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.
- Consistent with that authority, the Commission renews the broadcasting licence for the French-language commercial radio programming undertaking CFLO-FM Mont-Laurier, Quebec, and its transmitter CFLO-FM-1 L’Annonciation, from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2030.Footnote 1 The Commission did not receive any interventions in regard to this application.
- 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
Tangible benefits
- The Commission reminds the licensee that it must pay any remaining tangible benefits stemming the ownership transaction that was approved on 22 March 2023 in a letter decision, within the timeline set out in the decision.
Approval prior to a change in ownership
- As indicated in a letter decision dated 22 March 2023, in the current licence term, the licensee was found to be in non-compliance with subsection 11(4) of the Radio Regulations, 1986, which requires licensees to obtain the prior approval of the Commission for any changes to the effective control of the undertaking. The Commission reminds the licensee that it must seek the Commission’s approval prior to effecting a change of ownership and control of any licensed broadcasting undertaking.
Local news
- Radio stations are an important daily source of local news and information for communities. Carrying on a broadcasting undertaking 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.
- Although Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2022-332 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 regulatory policy, the Commission reminds the licensee that its 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
- Pursuant to section 22 of the Broadcasting Act, the broadcasting licence renewed in this decision will cease to have any force or effect if the broadcasting certificates issued by the Department of Industry (also known as Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada) lapse.
Practical guide for radio licence renewals
- 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
- Revised Commercial Radio Policy, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2022-332, 7 December 2022
- Various commercial radio programming undertakings – Administrative renewals, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2021-297, 30 August 2021
This decision is to be appended to the licence.
Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2023-270
Terms, conditions of service, expectations and encouragement for the French-language commercial radio programming undertaking CFLO-FM Mont-Laurier, Quebec, and its transmitter CFLO-FM-1 L’Annonciation
Terms
The licence will expire 31 August 2030.
Conditions of service
- The licensee shall adhere to the conditions of service set out in Revised conditions of licence for commercial AM and FM radio stations, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2022-334, 7 December 2022. Further, the licensee shall adhere to the requirements set out in the broadcasting licence for the undertaking.
- 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 2
Expectations
Cultural diversity
The Commission expects the licensee to reflect the cultural diversity of Canada in its programming and employment practices.
Canadian emerging artists
Consistent with the Commission’s determination set out in Revised Commercial Radio Policy, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2022-332, 7 December 2022 (Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2022-332), the Commission expects the licensee to devote, in each broadcast week, at least 5% of the station’s musical selections to selections from Canadian emerging artists broadcast in their entirety. The licensee should report annually on how it has met this expectation, including the percentage of selections from Canadian emerging artists out of the total number of musical selections that were aired, and the number of distinct artists whose music has been aired. The licensee should also be able to provide, upon request, information such as a list of all titles, artists, and International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) numbers.
For the purposes of the above paragraph, the definition of “Canadian emerging artist” is the same as that set out in paragraph 346 of Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2022-332.
Indigenous musical selections
Consistent with the Commission’s determination set out in Revised Commercial Radio Policy, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2022-332, 7 December 2022 (Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2022-332), the Commission expects the licensee to include Indigenous musical selections on the station’s playlist. The licensee should report annually on the amount of Indigenous content aired on the station throughout the broadcast year (i.e., from 1 September to 31 August), including the percentage of Indigenous musical selections out of the total number of musical selections that were aired, and the number of distinct artists whose music has been aired. The licensee should also be able to provide, upon request, information such as a list of all titles, artists, and International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) numbers.
For the purposes of the above paragraph, the licensee may use the provisional definition of “Indigenous-Canadian musical selection” set out in paragraph 441 of Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2022-332 to determine whether a musical selection can be considered an Indigenous musical selection.
Employment equity
In accordance with Implementation of an employment equity policy, Public Notice CRTC 1992-59, 1 September 1992, the Commission 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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