Search

Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2025-290

PDF version

Reference: 2025-92

Gatineau, 31 October 2025

Vista Radio Ltd.  
Grande Prairie, Alberta, and Fort St. John and Dawson Creek, British Columbia

Public record: 2025-0073-5
Public hearing in the National Capital Region
10 July 2025

CJGY-FM Grande Prairie and its rebroadcasting transmitters CJGY- FM-1 Fort St. John and CJGY-FM-2 Dawson Creek – Change in ownership and effective control

Summary

The Commission approves an application by Vista Radio Ltd. (Vista), on behalf of Golden West Broadcasting Ltd. (Golden West), for authority to change the ownership and effective control of the English-language commercial radio programming undertaking operating the radio station CJGY-FM Grande Prairie, Alberta, and its rebroadcasting transmitters CJGY-FM-1 Fort St. John and CJGY-FM-2 Dawson Creek, British Columbia. Through this transaction, Vista will acquire from Golden West the assets related to the operation of CJGY-FM and its rebroadcasting transmitters.

The Commission also approves Vista’s request for a new broadcasting licence to continue the operation of the station. To ensure continued support for the recipients of regular funds, the Commission denies Vista’s request for an exception to the payment of tangible benefits set out in the Tangible Benefits Policy (Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2014-459) and in the Revised Commercial Radio Policy (Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2022-332).

The Commission finds that approving this transaction is in the public interest, as it will help ensure that the station continues to provide local programming to the communities of Grande Prairie, Fort St. John, and Dawson Creek.

Application

  1. On 18 February 2025, the Commission received an application from Vista Radio Ltd. (Vista), on behalf of Golden West Broadcasting Ltd. (Golden West), for authority to change the ownership and effective control of the English-language commercial radio programming undertaking operating the radio station CJGY-FM Grande Prairie, Alberta, and its rebroadcasting transmitters CJGY-FM-1 Fort St. John and CJGY-FM-2 Dawson Creek, British Columbia. Through this transaction, Vista will acquire from Golden West the assets related to the operation of CJGY-FM and its rebroadcasting transmitters.
  2. Vista also requested a new broadcasting licence to continue the operation of the station under the same terms and conditions as those currently in effect.
  3. Vista is a corporation wholly owned and controlled by Westerkirk Capital Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of SEB Investments Corp., which is majority held by Thomson Investments Limited.
  4. Golden West is a corporation effectively controlled by Elmer Hilderbrand Ltd.
  5. Vista proposed a value of the transaction for the assets of $1,531,576, which includes the purchase price and the total value of leases payable over five years. There are no liabilities being assumed nor working capital transferred at closing. Vista also requested an exception to the payment of tangible benefits. It proposed a tangible benefits package of $98,000, which represents just under 6.4% of the proposed value of the transaction, on the condition that it be exclusively allocated to the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s (BCIT) Diploma in Radio Arts and Entertainment. This would be an exception to the allocation set out in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2014-459 (the Tangible Benefits Policy) and in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2022-332 (the Revised Commercial Radio Policy).

Interventions

  1. The Commission received interventions from 663975 B.C. Ltd., operating as Moose Media, which is the licensee of the independent commercial radio operator CKFU-FM Fort St. John, and from the National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA). The interventions and replies are addressed below.

Regulatory framework

  1. The review of ownership transactions is an essential element of the Commission’s regulatory and supervisory mandate under the Broadcasting Act (the Act). Obtaining a licence to operate a broadcasting undertaking (in this case, a radio station) is a regulatory privilege granted by the Commission. A licensee does not have the authority to transfer a licence to a new operator as they see fit.
  2. For this reason, licensees must obtain the Commission’s approval before entering into any action, agreement, or transaction that changes, directly or indirectly, the effective control of the radio station. This requirement is set out in subsection 11(4) of the Radio Regulations, 1986 (the Regulations).
  3. When seeking the Commission’s approval, the applicant must demonstrate that the benefits of the transaction are commensurate with the size and nature of the transaction and that the application represents the best possible proposal under the circumstances. The Commission will consider the application on its merits and will approve the transaction if the change in ownership and effective control is in the public interest. The public interest is reflected in the Canadian broadcasting and regulatory policy set out in subsections 3(1) and 5(2) of the Act.
  4. Under subsection 18(1) of the Act, the Commission must conduct a public hearing for the issuance of a broadcasting licence. Broadcasting Information Bulletins 2011-222 and 2008-8-2 outline that the Commission generally reviews applications related to the acquisition of assets through public hearings, either appearing or non-appearing. Applications are non-appearing where the Commission is satisfied that the applicant and interested parties had an opportunity to present their views and that the written record is sufficient and further discussion is not necessary.

Issues

  1. After examining the record for this application in light of applicable regulations and policies, the Commission considers that it must address the following issues:
    • whether the applicant’s ownership structure satisfies the requirements for Canadian ownership and control;
    • whether the proposed transaction is consistent with the Commission’s Common Ownership Policy for radio;
    • whether the proposed transaction is in the public interest;
    • the value of the transaction and tangible benefits;
    • the allocation of tangible benefits; and
    • whether the proposed transaction fulfills the regulatory requirements.

Canadian ownership and control

  1. Pursuant to paragraph 3(1)(a) of the Act, the Canadian broadcasting system shall be effectively owned and controlled by Canadians. As required by the Direction to the CRTC (Ineligibility of Non-Canadians)Footnote 1 (the Direction), no broadcasting licence can be issued to a non-Canadian.
  2. Vista is incorporated in British Columbia. Vista is effectively controlled by Westerkirk Capital Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of SEB Investments Corp., which is majority held by Thomson Investments Limited. The shareholders, the Chief Executive Officer, and all members of the board of directors of Vista are Canadian.
  3. As such, the proposed transaction satisfies the eligibility criteria set out in the Direction.

Common Ownership Policy for radio

  1. The Revised Commercial Radio PolicyFootnote 2 has modified the Common Ownership Policy for radio. It stipulates that in marketsFootnote 3 with eight or more commercial radio stations operating in a given language, a person may be permitted to own or control as many as four stations, with a maximum of three stations within one frequency band (FM or AM) in that language. However, there are two exceptions to this stipulation, under which a station may be excluded from counting towards the number of stations a person controls in a market.
  2. First, some partially overlapping stations may be excluded from the market into which they overlap. Broadcasting Information Bulletin 2010-341 (the Bulletin) states that stations whose markets overlap the market under evaluation must be counted in the number of stations present in that market. However, stations will generally be excluded from counting towards the number a person controls in a market if the population in the overlapping area represents less than 5% of the market under evaluation. Further, if the population of the overlapping area represents between 5% and 15% of the market, the overlapping station can be excluded if it does not accept the advertising from local businesses that are located in the market under evaluation, the competitive balance of the market is maintained, and the direction of news and public affairs coverage is not affected.
  3. Second, and more generally, the Revised Commercial Radio Policy and the Bulletin state that the Commission may grant an exception to the Common Ownership Policy when it concludes that the exception is in the public interest because it provides clear benefits to Canadians and the broadcasting system or is based on serious economic or technical circumstances.
Positions of parties
  1. In its intervention, Moose Media supported the acquisition of CJGY-FM by Vista but opposed the acquisition of its rebroadcasting transmitters in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek. It argued that while the transaction fits within the limit of three FM stations (including rebroadcasting transmitters) established in the revised Common Ownership Policy, it goes against the intent of the policy by giving Vista a quasi-monopoly in the Fort St. John and Dawson Creek markets. Moose Media also noted in its intervention that, should the Commission approve the transaction, Vista would control all FM stations in Fort St. John, except for CKFU-FM. In Dawson Creek, Vista already has a transmitter for one of the stations it currently operates in Fort St. John and would therefore have another transmitter in the same market.
  2. In its reply, Vista argued that approving this transaction would not affect competition and diversity of voices. Vista noted that there are currently two ownership groups in the Fort St. John market (Moose Media and Vista), a dynamic that would not change should the transaction be approved.
  3. Vista emphasized that CJGY-FM-1 is a rebroadcasting transmitter of CJGY-FM in Grande Prairie and neither broadcasts original local programming for Fort St. John nor solicits advertising in that market. Vista also argued that the competitive structure in the Dawson Creek market would also remain unchanged.
  4. Finally, Vista noted that the Commission approved a change in the regional market in Broadcasting Decision 2025-44, following the acquisition by Vista of multiple stations previously owned by Bell Media Inc. (Bell Media) and that Moose Media did not raise any concerns at the time.
Commission’s decision
  1. The markets involved in this transaction are all small markets of fewer than eight commercial stations operating in a given language. The Commission notes that, in each of these markets, an operator could have up to three stations with no limits on the FM or AM frequency band, consistent with the Common Ownership Policy.
  2. With the acquisition of CJGY-FM, Vista would own two English-language commercial radio stations in Grande Prairie, consistent with the Common Ownership Policy.
  3. Vista currently operates one AM station in Dawson Creek (CJDC) and has one rebroadcasting transmitter (CHRX-FM-1) on the FM frequency band. The proposed transaction would add a rebroadcasting transmitter on the FM frequency band (CJGY-FM-2), consistent with the Common Ownership Policy.
  4. Vista currently operates two FM stations in Fort St. John (CHRX-FM and CKNL-FM). The proposed transaction would add a rebroadcasting transmitter on the FM frequency band (CJGY-FM-1), consistent with the Common Ownership Policy.
  5. The Commission notes that Vista is already present in the Fort St. John market, competing directly with Moose Media. Given that the stations in question do not use rebroadcasting transmitters for the distribution of original programming and that the licensee is not permitted to solicit advertising in Fort St. John, the Commission is of the view that the transaction would not create a competitive imbalance in the market.
  6. In light of the above, the Commission finds that, although Vista would have the maximum number of broadcasting signals on a given band in the markets of Fort St. John and Dawson Creek, this is consistent with the Common Ownership Policy. The Commission also finds that Vista’s acquisition of the Fort St. John and Dawson Creek rebroadcasting transmitters would not adversely affect the competition nor the diversity of voices in the region. Given the financial results of Moose Media and CJGY-FM, as well as the fact that CJGY-FM-1 and CJGY-FM-2 do not solicit advertising in Fort St. John or Dawson Creek, the Commission considers that there would be no undue financial impact on existing stations in the market.

Public interest of the proposed transaction

  1. When the Commission evaluates whether a transaction is in the public interest, it examines the extent to which the transaction improves the Canadian broadcasting system and contributes to meeting the policy objectives of the Act. Section 3 of that Act describes a broadcasting system that contributes to the creation and presentation of Canadian programming, and through its programming reflects the multicultural and multiracial nature of Canadian society. Furthermore, the programming that the system provides should be drawn from local and regional sources and should ensure that a diversity of news voices is offered to the public.
Positions of parties
  1. Vista indicated that it entered into a purchase agreement with Golden West for CJGY-FM and its two transmitters based on the belief that it was best positioned to ensure the continued operation of this local radio station on a sustainable financial basis and with a renewed and strengthened commitment to local journalism.
  2. Vista noted that it has extensive experience in operating radio stations in similar-sized markets, including in Alberta, and a demonstrated commitment to providing high-quality community-reflective news and information programming. Vista expressed its intention of making substantial investments to enhance the quality of the programming at CJGY-FM, with an emphasis on journalism and local news.
  3. In its intervention, Moose Media expressed concerns regarding local news coverage by Vista in the Fort St. John market. Specifically, it indicated that while its station, CKFU-FM, provided emergency coverage for hours during the forest fire that broke out in the area on 1 May 2025, Vista’s stations, CHRX-FM and CKNL-FM, aired no live updates or information about the fire while it was happening. In Moose Media’s view, this showed that Vista had not met the local service standards it promised.
  4. In its response, Vista noted that when it took control of the Bell Media radio stations CHRX-FM and CKNL-FM on 14 April 2025, there were no news reporters on staff. From that date, Vista added that it had ensured timely access for residents to vitally important local news and information. Vista noted that there were two breaking news spots per hour from 6:30 p.m. to midnight on 1 May 2025 and one breaking news spot per hour overnight. Finally, Vista indicated that it had made investments to rebuild and enhance news coverage and local reporting capabilities in the radio stations recently acquired, including the addition of local news reporters in Terrace, British Columbia, in April 2025, and in Fort St. John and Salmon Arm, British Columbia, in June 2025.
Commission’s decision
  1. The Commission recognizes Vista’s intention of strengthening local news and journalism. Vista already operates a station in Grande Prairie, CFRI-FM, and currently holds 53 broadcast licences in British Columbia, Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and Ontario. As such, the Commission is of the view that Vista is already in a good position to understand local needs for news and information, given its significant experience in these types of markets.
  2. Regarding local news coverage, the Commission notes Moose Media’s concerns and considers that local news and information should be a part of a station’s programming. The Commission notes that implementing additional news programming could take some time. In reply to a request for information letter, Vista indicated that it would broadcast 126 hours of local programming per broadcast week and 2 hours and 36 minutes of news, including 2 hours and 2 minutes of local and regional news. It is the Commission’s view that the proposed airtime allocated for news programming, including for local news, would benefit the community of Grande Prairie.
  3. Furthermore, given that Vista currently operates CFRI-FM, it is the Commission’s view that the licensee would be in a good position to maximize synergies between both undertakings.
  4. Finally, the transaction would generate tangible benefits (discussed further in the sections below). As a result, different funds, programs, and various initiatives will receive funding, which would benefit Canadian artists, the radio sector, and the broadcasting system. 
  5. In light of the above, the Commission finds that approval of this transaction is in the public interest.

Value of the transaction and tangible benefits

  1. The Commission’s approach is that the public interest is served by requiring that the person or the qualified corporation acquiring the assets and effective control make financial contributions to Canadian content development (CCD) that are proportionate to the size and nature of the transaction. These contributions are known as “tangible benefits.” The Commission’s policy on tangible benefits is set out in the Tangible Benefits Policy.Footnote 4 Tangible benefits serve the public interest because they increase the quantity and quality of Canadian programming and support the creation, distribution and promotion of such programming. Since the Commission does not solicit competing applications for changes to the ownership or effective control of broadcasting undertakings, the Commission requires that applicants propose tangible benefits when they seek the Commission’s approval to change the effective control of radio and television programming services.
  2. The amount of tangible benefits payable depends on the value of the transaction. In the case of radio stations, tangible benefits represent at a minimum 6% of the value of the transaction. The Commission looks at the value of the transaction as a whole, including the value of gross debt, working capital to be transferred at the close of the transaction, ancillary agreements, and any leases assumed by the purchaser for real property (buildings, studios and offices) and transmission facilities. The value of leases is calculated over a period of five years. These elements, if applicable, are added to the purchase price.
  3. Vista proposed a value of the transaction of $1,531,576. This amount includes the purchase price ($1,250,000) and the total value of the leases payable over five years ($281,576). No working capital would be transferred at closing, and Vista confirmed that it would not assume any debt or liabilities.
  4. Finally, Vista requested an exception to the payment of tangible benefits. It proposed a tangible benefit package of $98,000, which represents just under 6.4% of the proposed value of the transaction.
  5. The Commission notes that the value of the transaction as proposed by the applicant is consistent with the Commission’s general approach. In light of the above, the Commission finds that the value of the transaction is $1,531,576, itemized as follows:
    Purchase Price $1,250,000
    Debt $0
    Value for the assumed leases over five years $281,576
    Working capital $0
    Value of the transaction $1,531,576

Allocation of tangible benefits

  1. As per the Revised Commercial Radio Policy, tangible benefits amounts are to be paid over seven consecutive broadcasting years and be allocated as follows:
    • 3% to the Canadian Starmaker Fund and Fonds RadioStar;
      • 60% to Canadian Starmaker Fund and 40% to Fonds RadioStar
    • 1.5% to FACTOR and Musicaction;
      • 60% to FACTOR and 40% to Musicaction
    • 1% to any eligible CCD initiative at the discretion of the purchaser; and
    • 0.5% to the Community Radio Fund of Canada.
Positions of parties
  1. Vista requested an exception to the payment of tangible benefits to allow the entirety of its proposed $98,000 contribution to go to the BCIT’s Diploma in Radio Arts and Entertainment.
  2. Vista stated that it is concerned about the lack of qualified and newly trained broadcasters, as broadcasting and journalism programs are becoming less available to students. It added that it has experienced difficulties in securing trained and skilled on-air talent, particularly in the small- and medium-sized markets it serves. In Vista’s view, listeners in the markets served by its stations would not become meaningfully engaged without a local DJ. Investing in the future of radio broadcasters and spoken word talent would help preserve the future of the small market radio station. Finally, Vista indicated that funding a well-respected and recognized educational institution in Western Canada would give all broadcasters in the region a continuing source of new, trained on-air talent.
  3. Should the Commission deny this request, Vista proposed a tangible benefits package of $91,895, which represents the minimum 6% of the value of the transaction.
  4. In its intervention, the NCRA expressed concerns about the growing tendency of commercial radio operators to request exceptions to the required payment of tangible benefits to benefit broadcasting programs. The NCRA argued that granting these exceptions would result in a significant reduction of tangible benefits contributions flowing to the Community Radio Fund of Canada, which is not in the public interest. The NCRA specified that these contributions support, among other things, the creation of local news shows, multicultural and multilingual broadcasters, educational programming, and initiatives fostering community involvement.
Commission’s decisions
  1. In the Revised Commercial Radio Policy, the Commission indicated that it may choose to exercise its discretion and depart from the Tangible Benefits Policy if it finds that the public interest would be furthered by granting an exception, based on the record before it at the time.
  2. The applicant is responsible for demonstrating in its application that the proposal is not self-serving and that the proposed exception would better serve the public interest than the application of the Tangible Benefits Policy. In addition, the applicant is expected to demonstrate that the proposed discretionary initiatives would benefit the broadcasting system as a whole or the communities that are served by the undertakings to be purchased. The Commission notes that an exception would not necessarily be granted even if the criteria for an exception are met.
  3. In its application, Vista referred to Broadcasting Decision 2024-344, in which the Commission approved a request by Maritime Broadcasting System Limited (MBS) for an exception to the payment of tangible benefits, allowing the applicant to allocate the entirety of its tangible benefits package to the two-year radio and television program offered by the Nova Scotia Community College. In that decision, the Commission indicated that the approval of this exception was based on the record before it at the time, that such decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, and that Commission’s approval of an exception was for the specific application in that instance only.
  4. The Commission recognizes that the closure of certain broadcasting and journalism programs in Canadian colleges and universities has led to a decline in the number of qualified professionals. However, some colleges and universities in Alberta and British Columbia offer several broadcasting and journalism programs to develop new broadcasters. Since fewer broadcasting and journalism programs exist in the Maritimes, the Commission considers that the current applicant’s situation and that of MBS are not equivalent. The Commission finds that the applicant did not provide sufficient rationale to show how its request for an exception would benefit rural communities or how the Commission granting this request would be in the public interest.
  5. The Commission recognizes the NCRA’s comments and the growing trend for commercial radio operators to request exceptions. The Commission also acknowledges that approving more exceptions could influence future applicants to continue this trend, potentially to the detriment of the standard recipient funds. This would create uncertainty for those funds. In addition, when reviewing a request for an exception to the payment of tangible benefits, the Commission must balance the needs of other players in the broadcasting system. The Commission considers that, as highlighted by the NCRA in its intervention, approving the requested exception to the payment of tangible benefits would be detrimental to the beneficiaries of the funds outlined at paragraph 43. It would also deprive the Canadian broadcasting system of contributions that benefit other players in the broadcasting system and the communities CJGY-FM serves.
  6. Finally, the Commission notes that as part of the payment of tangible benefits set out in the Revised Commercial Radio Policy, applicants must devote 1% of the value of the transaction to discretionary initiatives. Should Vista decide to allocate this percentage of the tangible benefits package to the BCIT’s Diploma in Radio Arts and Entertainment, the college could receive $15,316 to support its program.
  7. In light of the above, the Commission denies Vista’s request for an exception to the payment of tangible benefits and considers it appropriate to require the applicant to allocate $91,895 (6% of the value of the transaction) in tangible benefits paid in equal instalments over seven consecutive broadcast years, consistent with the Tangible Benefits Policy and Revised Commercial Radio Policy.
  8. Further, the Commission considers it appropriate to order Vista to report, as part of its Annual Return required under subsection 9(2) of the Regulations, on its progress in making these payments.

Regulatory requirements

Licence term
  1. In Broadcasting Decision 2018-64, the Commission approved an application from Golden West for authority to acquire from Grande Prairie Radio Ltd. the assets of CJGY-FM and its transmitters, and for a new licence to continue the operations of the station, expiring 31 August 2024.
  2. The licence was renewed administratively in Broadcasting Decision 2025-136, and the current licence expires on 31 August 2027.
  3. The applicant is requesting a new licence with the same terms and conditions as those currently in effect.
  4. Under paragraph 9(1)(b) of the Act, the Commission has the authority to issue a licence and determine its term. To simplify the process for the buyer of the station and for the Commission, the Commission considers that it would be appropriate to issue a new broadcasting licence with the same expiry date currently in place for CJGY-FM and its transmitters.
  5. In light of the above, the Commission determines that the new licence term for CJGY-FM and its transmitters will expire on 31 August 2027Footnote 5.

Conclusion

  1. In light of all of the above, the Commission approves the application from Vista, on behalf of Golden West, for authority to change the ownership and effective control of the English-language commercial radio programming undertaking operating the radio station CJGY-FM Grande Prairie, Alberta, and its rebroadcasting transmitters CJGY-FM-1 Fort St. John and CJGY-FM-2 Dawson Creek, British Columbia. The Commission will issue a new broadcasting licence to Vista to continue the operation of CJGY-FM and its rebroadcasting transmitters CJGY-FM-1 and CJGY-FM-2.
  2. Upon surrender of the licence currently held by Golden West, the Commission will issue a new broadcasting licence to Vista, which will expire on 31 August 2027. This licensee will be subject to the terms and conditions of service set out in the appendix of this decision.
  3. The Commission directs Vista Radio Ltd. to submit the final agreement related to the transaction, including all annexes, schedules, and associated documentation, to the Commission within 30 days of the closing date of the transaction.
  4. This decision is to be appended to the licence.

Conditions of service

  1. Given that the applicant proposed to operate CJGY-FM under the same terms and conditions as those in effect under the current licence, the Commission makes the following orders consistent with the existing conditions of service.
  2. The Commission notes that it updated the standard conditions of service for commercial FM radio stations in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2022-334. As a result, the Commission considers it appropriate to require Vista to adhere to these updated standard conditions so that CJGY-FM is consistent with the conditions of service for other FM stations.
  3. Further, pursuant to subsection 49(2) of the Online Streaming Act, any regulation made under paragraphs 10(1)(a) or 10(1)(i) of the old Broadcasting Act is deemed to be an order made under section 9.1 of the new Broadcasting Act. As a result, the Commission considers it appropriate to require that the licensee adhere to these requirements as conditions of service.
  4. Accordingly, pursuant to subsection 9.1(1) of the Act, the Commission orders Vista Radio Ltd. to adhere to the standard conditions of service for commercial FM radio stations set out in the appendix to Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2022-334, as well as to all applicable requirements set out in the Regulations, that were made under paragraphs 10(1)(a) or 10(1)(i) of the old Act.
  5. Consistent with existing conditions of service, as defined in Broadcasting Decision 2024-14, the Commission orders Vista Radio Ltd. to devote, in each broadcast week, a minimum of 40% of its musical selections from content category 2 (Popular Music) to Canadian selections broadcast in their entirety.
  6. Further, pursuant to subsection 9.1(1) of the Act, the Commission orders Vista Radio Ltd. to comply with the requirements related to the implementation of the National Public Alerting System, as set out in subsection 16(2) of the Regulations, and in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2014-444, and in Broadcasting Orders 2014-445, 2014-446, 2014-447 and 2014-448.
  7. Finally, pursuant to subsection 11.1(2) of the Act, the Commission orders Vista Radio Ltd. to pay tangible benefits in the amount of $91,895, to be paid in equal instalments over seven consecutive broadcast years and allocated in a manner consistent with the Tangible Benefits Policy and the Revised Commercial Radio Policy. In addition, pursuant to subsection 9.1(1) of the Act, the Commission orders Vista Radio Ltd. to file all proof of payment and eligibility regarding these contributions each year in a form deemed acceptable by the Commission consistent with subsection 9(2) of the Regulations.
  8. The specifics of these orders will be reflected in the conditions of service for the undertaking.
  9. The Commission notes that the formal broadcasting licence document issued to a licensee may set out additional requirements for the undertaking, relating to, for example, technical parameters or prohibition on transfer. The licensee shall, therefore, also adhere to any such requirements set out in the broadcasting licences for the undertakings.
  10. The terms as well as the conditions of service are set out in the appendix to this decision.
  11. Finally, the Commission notes that this application, including the matters set out in the above orders, was subject to a public proceeding that provided both the applicant and other interested parties notice of and an opportunity to make representations with respect to the proposed orders. The Commission is satisfied that, in this case, the public proceeding was sufficient to achieve the purposes of the publication and consultation requirement set out in subsections 9.1(4) and 11.1(7) of the Act.

Reminders

Force and effect of broadcasting licences

  1. Pursuant to section 22 of the Act, the broadcasting licence will cease to have any force or effect if the broadcasting certificate issued by the Department of Industry (also known as Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada) lapses.

Local news

  1. 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.
  2. Although the Revised Commercial Radio Policy 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.

National Public Alerting System

  1. The Commission has implemented obligations in respect of the broadcast of emergency alerts. For reference, see section 16 of the Regulations as well as Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2014-444. The licensee must implement the public alerting system for each of its transmitters, and ensure that any alert broadcast decoders (e.g., ENDEC) used for the purposes of broadcasting emergency alert messages are installed and programmed to properly account for the applicable contour (as set out in paragraph 16(2)(b) of the Regulations) of the stations as well as that of any rebroadcasting transmitter that may appear on the licence for those stations.

Employment equity

  1. Because this licensee is subject to the Employment Equity Act and files reports concerning employment equity with the Department of Employment and Social Development (also known as Employment and Social Development Canada), its employment equity practices are not examined by the Commission.
  2. The amendments to the Broadcasting Act resulting from the Online Streaming Act place greater emphasis on the inclusion of Indigenous persons, Canadians from Black or other racialized communities, and Canadians of diverse ethnocultural backgrounds, socio-economic status, abilities and disabilities, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and ages, in the Canadian broadcasting system. The Commission has announced consultations on diversity and inclusion in its Regulatory plan to modernize Canada’s broadcasting framework. In the meantime, the Commission expects the licensee to reflect this emphasis in its operational decisions.

Secretary General

Related documents

Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2025-290

Terms, conditions of service and expectations for the English-language commercial radio programming undertaking CJGY-FM Grande Prairie and its rebroadcasting transmitters CJGY-FM-1 Fort St. John and CJGY-FM-2 Dawson Creek

Terms

The licence will expire 31 August 2027.

Conditions of service

  1. The licensee shall adhere to the conditions set out in the appendix to Revised conditions of licence for commercial AM and FM radio stations, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2022-334, 7 December 2022, as well as to the requirements 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.
  3. In order to fulfill its commitment relating to tangible benefits, the licensee shall expend, in equal payments over seven consecutive broadcast years and by no later than 31 August of each year, a total amount of $91,895, allocated as set out at paragraphs 4 and 48 of Simplified approach to tangible benefits and determining the value of the transaction, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2014-459, 5 September 2014 and at paragraph 160 of Revised Commercial Radio Policy, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2022-332, 7 December 2022.
    • The licensee shall file all proof of payment and eligibility regarding these contributions each year in a form deemed acceptable by the Commission consistent with subsection 9(2) of the Radio Regulations, 1986.
  4. The licensee shall devote, in each broadcast week, a minimum of 40% of its musical selections from content category 2 (Popular Music) to Canadian selections broadcast in their entirety. For the purposes of this condition, the terms “broadcast week,” “Canadian selection,” “content category,” and “musical selection” shall have the same meanings as those set out in the Radio Regulations, 1986.
  5. The licensee shall implement the National Public Alerting System (NPAS) in the manner set out in subsection 16(2) of the Radio Regulations, 1986, and in Amendments to various regulations, the standard conditions of licence for video-on-demand undertakings and certain exemption orders – Provisions requiring the mandatory distribution of emergency alert messages, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2014-444 and Broadcasting Orders CRTC 2014-445, 2014-446, 2014-447, and 2014-448, 29 August 2014.

Expectations

Diversity

The Broadcasting Act places significant emphasis on the inclusion and reflection of Indigenous persons, Canadians from Black or other racialized communities, and Canadians of diverse ethnocultural backgrounds, socio-economic status, abilities and disabilities, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and ages, in the Canadian broadcasting system. The Commission expects the licensee to take concrete measures to ensure it contributes to this inclusion and reflection in both 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.

Date modified: