Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2026-118 and Broadcasting Orders CRTC 2026-119, 2026-120, 2026-121, 2026-122, 2026-123, 2026-124, 2026-125, 2026-126, 2026-127, 2026-128, 2026-129, and 2026-130

Reference: 2025-267

Gatineau, 10 June 2026

Public record: 1011-NOC2025-0267

Amendments to exemption orders for various types of radio programming undertakings

Summary

Broadcasting exemption orders establish the terms and conditions under which certain types of broadcasting undertakings may be eligible to broadcast without a licence. The purpose of exemption orders is to ease the regulatory burden on broadcasters and use fewer Commission resources for small, temporary, or niche radio services that will have limited impact on licensed broadcasters.

The modernized Broadcasting Act (the Act) provides the Commission with new regulatory tools, such as the authority to issue orders imposing conditions of service on all types of radio services, including exempt services. In the Modernization of Radio Processes Policy,^{Footnote 1} the Commission announced that it would update its radio exemption orders to reflect the modernized Act and set conditions of service for exempted services.

The Commission sought comments on these proposed updates to exemption orders in Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2025-267.

Based on the record of this proceeding, the Commission is updating the radio exemption orders. The orders define the type of services benefitting from exemption and set out their conditions of service. For most exempt services, the Commission is simply updating the exemption orders to reflect the modernized Act and transition existing regulatory obligations to conditions of service. This update results in no additional regulatory burden, except in two cases. Exempt tourist information stations are now required to keep audio recordings and program logs, and exempt house of worship stations are now required to register with the Commission. In setting these requirements, the Commission has balanced imposing the least amount of regulatory burden on these exempt services while ensuring that it is able to appropriately monitor compliance with the regulatory framework.

Introduction

Pursuant to section 31.1 of the Broadcasting Act (the Act), all persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings, other than online undertakings, must hold a licence or be exempt from the requirement to hold a licence. Subsection 9(4) of the Act provides that the Commission shall exempt persons who carry on broadcasting undertakings from any or all of the requirements of Part II of the Act or an order or regulation made thereunder if it is “satisfied that compliance with those requirements will not contribute in a material manner to the implementation of the broadcasting policy set out in subsection 3(1).”
The Commission is responsible for regulating and supervising the Canadian broadcasting system. In the radio sector, this system includes radio programming undertakings, radiocommunication distribution undertakings (RDUs), and radio network undertakings in Canada. All radio services, like all broadcasting services, are subject to various regulatory obligations. A key obligation for most radio services is the need to hold a broadcasting licence granted by the Commission. However, consistent with subsection 9(4) of the Act, certain smaller, temporary or niche radio services operate under exemption orders. The Commission must therefore ensure that radio services broadcast in compliance with their licences or with an exemption order issued by the Commission.
Broadcasting exemption orders establish classes of broadcasters that are eligible to broadcast without a licence. Historically, they set out criteria with which operators of exempt services were required to comply. These exemption criteria defined the type of services benefitting from exemption and set out the regulatory obligations, which were not tied to holding a licence, that the services had to meet to remain exempt. These obligations related to, for example, the programming broadcast, public alerting, and certain technical requirements from the Department of Industry (also known as Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, hereafter, the Department) when the services use the airwaves.
As indicated in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2018-137, the purpose of exemption orders is to ease the regulatory burden on broadcasters and use fewer Commission resources for small, temporary or niche radio services that have limited impact on licensed broadcasters.
However, exempting radio services under the previous version of the Act had limitations. Where compliance issues arose, the Commission could only hold exempt broadcasters to account by finding that they did not satisfy the conditions of exemption and, therefore, were broadcasting without a licence or proper authorization. This inflexibility made it difficult to address and correct concerns with the operation of these broadcasters.
The modernized Act has introduced flexibility in the Commission’s ability to regulate and supervise exempt broadcasters.^{Footnote 2} In particular, the Commission can now make orders imposing conditions of service on any broadcaster. As such, a condition of service can impose a regulatory obligation on a licensed service or on an exempt service. This offers a more efficient approach to regulatory oversight for exempt services. In particular, imposing conditions of service will allow the Commission to address concerns with the operation of exempt broadcasters as a simple compliance matter, with the flexibility and discretion to impose regulatory measures according to the nature of the non-compliance. However, the Commission must amend the wording of the current exemption orders in order to properly transition the regulatory obligations of exempt broadcasters to conditions of service.
In Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2025-265 (the Modernization of Radio Processes Policy), the Commission announced that it would amend the existing exemption orders to allow for the imposition of conditions of service on exempt radio broadcasters.
The Commission also proposed to add a requirement for two specific types of exempt broadcasters in order to, among other things, facilitate monitoring in case of complaints:
- tourist information stations would be required to keep audio recordings and program logs, similar to the requirement currently imposed on licensed broadcasters; and
- exempt house of worship radio stations would be required to register with the Commission.
As a result, in Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2025-267 (the Notice), the Commission sought comments on the proposed amendments to the following orders to implement these updates:
- Exemption order for low-power tourist information related radio programming undertakings;
- Exemption order for low-power radio programming undertakings providing programming that is derived solely from houses of worship;
- Exemption order respecting certain Indigenous radio undertakings;
- Exemption order respecting radio and television temporary network special event type 1 undertakings;
- Exemption order respecting low-power radio: Limited duration special event facilitating undertakings;
- Exemption order respecting low-power radio: Ultra low power announcement service undertakings;
- Exemption order respecting carrier current undertakings whose services are not carried on distribution undertakings;
- Exemption order for radiocommunication distribution undertakings;
- Exemption order respecting network operations;
- Exemption order respecting public emergency radio undertakings;
- Exemption order respecting low-power radio: Temporary resource development distribution undertakings; and
- Exemption order respecting shortwave broadcast undertakings.
As stated in the Modernization of Radio Processes Policy, issues relating to Indigenous radio broadcasters are being addressed in the proceeding for the co-development of an Indigenous broadcasting policy. In Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2024-67, the Commission initiated Phase 2 of the multi-phase consultation to gather views from First Nations, Inuit and Métis on how to support Indigenous broadcasters and creators, and ensure Indigenous stories and voices are represented, easily found and shared across all platforms (both traditional and online). As noted in the Commission’s Regulatory plan to modernize Canada’s broadcasting framework, additional consultations are planned for 2026. Therefore, while the current proceeding considers updates to the language of one specific exemption order for Indigenous radio broadcasters, there will be a further opportunity to examine the appropriate regulatory framework for all types of Indigenous broadcasters as part of the Indigenous broadcasting policy proceeding.
Under the approach proposed in the Notice, the exemption orders would identify the purpose and criteria a broadcaster must meet in order to qualify to operate under the exemption order. The regulatory obligations, which would be imposed as orders pursuant to subsection 9.1(1) of the Act, would be identified separately as conditions of service.
Separating the exemption criteria from the regulatory obligations strengthens the Commission’s regulatory oversight as it enables the Commission to monitor and ensure compliance without having to find that an exempt broadcaster is operating without proper authorization, contrary to subsection 31.1(1) of the Act. Under the updated exemption orders, failure to comply with these regulatory obligations would lead to other, more gradual regulatory compliance measures similar to those used for licensed broadcasters.

Interventions

The Commission received five interventions in response to the Notice. The interventions are addressed below.

Issues

After examining the record for this proceeding, the Commission considers that it must address the following issues:
- an update to a programming-related requirement for exempt Indigenous radio broadcasters;
- emergency alerting for RDUs;
- changes to the exemption order respecting public emergency radio broadcasters;
- other conditions regarding Indigenous radio broadcasters; and
- other matters.

Update to a programming-related requirement for exempt Indigenous radio broadcasters

The proposed order in Appendix 3 to the Notice updates an existing exemption order for Indigenous radio broadcasters in markets with no commercial services.

Positions of parties

An individual intervener, supported by the Forum for Research and Policy in Communications (FRPC), proposed changes to the proposed condition of service 10, which deals with the types of content that are generally prohibited for all radio broadcasters, including abusive comment and obscene language. As proposed, condition of service 10 sets out that undertakings exempted under this order shall adhere to the requirements of sections 3, 3.1, 4 and 5 (broadcasting content) of the Radio Regulations, 1986 (the Regulations), with the necessary modifications.
The intervener proposed that condition of service 10 be amended to include section 3.2 of the Regulations, which defines what constitutes obscene language.

Commission’s decision

In Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2011-455, the Commission amended the Regulations by adding section 3.2 to define what constitutes obscene language. However, section 3.2 was not integrated into the existing exemption order.
In light of the above, the Commission finds it appropriate to add a reference to section 3.2 of the Regulations to condition of service 10 of the Exemption order respecting certain Indigenous radio undertakings. This change is reflected in Broadcasting Order 2026-121, set out in Appendix 3 to this regulatory policy.

Emergency alerting for radiocommunication distribution undertakings

The proposed order in Appendix 8 to the Notice updates an existing exemption for RDUs, which rebroadcast radio or television signals over the air, mainly in small, rural and/or remote areas that are not served by terrestrial broadcasting distribution undertakings.

Positions of parties

An individual intervener submitted that condition of service 9 in the proposed order, which relates to emergency alerting, should be amended to reflect more current language relating to the service areas of RDUs.
Specifically, the intervener noted that RDUs are required to pass on alerts that have been designated by the issuing authority for distribution anywhere within their Grade B official contour.
However, the individual stated that “Grade B official contour” is the term used for analog television stations and added that some RDUs offering television services will likely broadcast via a digital television station transmitter. The intervener noted that the equivalent of an analog television station’s Grade B official contour is a noise-limited official contour for a digital television station. The intervener, supported by the FRPC, proposed that condition of service 9 be amended to make such a distinction.

Commission’s decision

The Commission requires broadcasters, including exempt RDUs, to fully participate in Canada’s National Public Alerting System (NPAS).^{Footnote 3} When it introduced this requirement, the Commission determined that the NPAS requirement was to apply within an RDU’s regional service area.^{Footnote 4}
The extent of the regional service area depends on the type of broadcaster, as follows:
- the 0.5 mV/m contour for FM radio stations;
- the 5 mV/m contour for AM radio stations;
- the Grade B official contour for analog television stations;
- the noise-limited bounding contour for digital television stations; or
- the digital service area for digital radio.
When the requirement was introduced, the public alerting criteria set out in the relevant exemption order focused on radio and analog television and did not include the regional service area associated with digital television station transmitters.
The Commission acknowledges that currently there are RDUs that use digital television station transmitters^{Footnote 5} and therefore considers it appropriate to amend the conditions of service to better reflect this reality and its established policy.
In light of the above, the Commission finds it appropriate to include a reference to the noise-limited bounding contour for digital television transmitters in condition of service 9 of the exemption order for RDUs. The Commission also finds it appropriate to add a reference to digital service area to condition of service 9 so that the condition encompasses all possible mediums. These changes are reflected in Broadcasting Order 2026-126, set out in Appendix 8 to this regulatory policy.

Changes to the exemption order respecting public emergency radio broadcasters

The proposed order in Appendix 10 to the Notice updates an existing exemption for radio broadcasters that broadcast information relating to public emergencies on a temporary basis and at very low power (5 watts or less).

Positions of parties

In its intervention, Stillwater Broadcasting Ltd. (Stillwater), supported by the FRPC, submitted that the requirement for these exempt broadcasters to be fully certified by the Department is impractical, as there may be no time to receive certification in times of emergency.
Stillwater also proposed that the maximum effective radiated power (ERP) allowed under the exemption order should be increased from 5 to 50 watts. This would allow broadcasters with existing certified transmitters to repurpose them for use under this exemption order in the case of a public emergency.

Commission’s decision

The Commission first established the Exemption order respecting public emergency radio undertakings in Public Notice 2000-11. At that time, the Commission noted that regardless of whether it issues a licence to a radio broadcaster or exempts a radio broadcaster under an exemption order, the broadcaster must meet its obligations under the Radiocommunication Act, which include being certified by the Department.
Those obligations have not changed. Regardless of the Commission’s exemptions, radio broadcasters are always required to respect the Department’s rules and the Radiocommunication Act. The wording of the proposed exemption order reflects these requirements.
With respect to Stillwater’s proposal to increase the allowable maximum ERP, the Commission considers this to be a policy matter that is outside the scope of this proceeding. The Commission recently examined changes to the policy on exemption orders in the Modernization of Radio Processes Policy, which included its own robust public consultation process. This proceeding only concerns the implementation of those policy determinations, not the issuance of a new policy determination.
Accordingly, the Commission finds it appropriate to maintain the language in the proposed exemption order.

Other conditions regarding Indigenous radio broadcasters

Positions of parties

In its intervention, the James Bay Cree Communications Society (JBCCS) supported the continued exemption of certain Indigenous broadcasters from licensing, stating that they provide access to Indigenous-language content, emergency information in remote areas, and training and volunteer opportunities.
JBCCS stated that since Indigenous broadcasters operate with few resources, added administrative burden would harm their viability. It recommended that the Commission maintain or expand the exemption order for certain Indigenous broadcasters, legitimize hybrid operations, ensure that new administrative measures are proportionate to an undertaking’s capacity, and continue to consult with Indigenous organizations before finalizing the exemption criteria. JBCCS added that the exemption order should delegate to communities more jurisdiction regarding Indigenous-governed broadcasters.

Commission’s decision

The Commission notes that the proposed order in Appendix 3 to the Notice is consistent with JBCCS’s view that Indigenous broadcasters in areas with no commercial stations should remain exempt and that no additional administrative obligations should be imposed.
The Commission acknowledges the issues raised by JBCCS in its intervention and appreciates its efforts to bring these issues to the Commission’s attention. The Commission considers, however, that these issues cannot be addressed in the present proceeding. As noted above, the present proceeding only examines updates to the language of one exemption order for Indigenous broadcasters. Broader issues relating to Indigenous broadcasting are being addressed in the multi-phase consultation initiated by Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2024-67. This consultation, currently in Phase 2 and with plans for additional consultations in 2026, will provide a further opportunity to examine the appropriate regulatory framework for all types of Indigenous broadcasters.
As a result, beyond making the order set out in Broadcasting Order 2026-121, set out in Appendix 3 to this regulatory policy, the Commission finds that no further action is required in the context of this proceeding.

Other matters

Positions of parties

In its intervention, the FRPC submitted that the Commission should have provided more time to comment on the proposed orders of the Notice, especially as the comment period overlapped with the period to comment on the other orders proposed in the Modernization of Radio Processes Policy. The FRPC also questioned why the proposed exemption order for RDUs in Appendix 8 to the Notice was included, as RDUs can distribute both radio and television programming.
In addition, the FRPC argued that the Commission must state explicitly why the exempt classes of broadcasters do not contribute to the policy objectives of the Act when making exemption orders.
Finally, the FRPC recommended that the Commission publish a complete list of classes of broadcasters on its website to help identify which classes are subject to exemption orders. It further recommended that the Commission ensure that its list of broadcasters that do and do not need a licence^{Footnote 6} is up to date, along with the terminology on its website and in its publications.

Commission’s decision

The Commission exercised its discretion in setting the timelines for this consultation. Given the narrow scope of the Notice and the extensive consultation that took place in the proceeding leading up to the Modernization of Radio Processes Policy, the Commission is of the view that a ten-day period to comment only on the wording of the proposed orders was appropriate.
With respect to the FRPC’s comment concerning the policy objectives, the Commission notes that it is not introducing new orders nor significantly altering their scope in the present proceeding. The Commission analyzed the appropriateness of maintaining and expanding existing exemption orders in the Modernization of Radio Processes Policy. As indicated in the Notice, the proposed changes to the exemption orders were limited to amending the orders to reflect the modernized Act and the Modernization of Radio Processes Policy. The Commission’s rationale for exempting specific classes of broadcasters can be found in the decisions in which those exemption orders were originally made.
The Commission is of the view that the FRPC’s recommendations regarding updates to language on the Commission’s website are administrative in nature and lie outside the scope of this proceeding.
In light of the above, the Commission finds that no further action is required in the context of this proceeding beyond making the orders set out in Broadcasting Orders 2026-121 and 2026-126, set out in Appendices 3 and 8, respectively, to this regulatory policy.

Conclusion

In light of all the above, the Commission makes the orders set out in Appendices 1 to 12 of this regulatory policy. Pursuant to subsection 9(4) of the Act, these orders exempt the relevant classes of undertaking from Part II of the Act, with the exception of sections 9.1, 10, 12, 31.1, 32, 33, 33.1, and 34. Pursuant to subsection 9.1(1) of the Act, these orders also impose conditions on the carrying on of the exempt broadcasting undertakings. The appendices identify these conditions under the headings “Conditions of service.” These orders are applicable to undertakings that meet the relevant purpose and criteria set out in the orders now and in the future without further process.

Secretary General

Appendix 1 to Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2026-118

Broadcasting Order CRTC 2026-119

Exemption order for low-power tourist information related radio programming undertakings

Pursuant to subsection 9(4) of the Broadcasting Act (the Act), the Commission exempts those persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings of the class defined by the purpose and criteria set out below from the requirements of Part II of the Act, with the exception of sections 9.1, 10, 12, 31.1, 32, 33, 33.1 and 34. The Commission also exempts those persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings of the class defined by the purpose and criteria set out below from the requirements of any regulations, except as otherwise provided.

Purpose

The purpose of these radio programming undertakings is to provide the public with live or pre-recorded messages with tourist-related information that may include information about local traffic, weather and marine conditions, road and boating conditions, highway construction and closures, airport arrival and departure information, ferry and train schedules, current border crossing regulations and wait times, marine traffic information, conditions on bridges and in mountain passes, advisories of approaching large vehicles (example: logging trucks and large construction and road maintenance vehicles) and any other locally relevant information relating to attractions and events of interest to tourists or the public.

Criteria

The low-power undertaking operates in the AM frequency band or in the FM frequency band with parameters associated with low-power undertakings as defined by the Department of Industry (also known as Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, hereafter, the Department) in Parts II and III of its Broadcasting Procedures and Rules.
The undertaking meets all technical requirements of the Department and has acquired all authorizations or certificates prescribed by that Department.
The Commission would not be prohibited from licensing the undertaking by virtue of any Act of Parliament or any direction to the Commission by the Governor in Council.
The undertaking registers with the Commission prior to commencement of operations (that is, no later than upon receipt of the broadcasting certificate from the Department) using the form prescribed by the Commission, namely, Registration for Exempt Low-Power Radio Programming Undertakings – Form 151. The undertaking is required to update the registration within 30 days of any subsequent change of information contained in that form, including, but not limited to, contact information, ownership information and any technical change.
Neither the undertaking nor any person involved with the undertaking, including but not limited to involvement with the ownership, operation, management and financing of the undertaking, has been found by the Commission to have been carrying on a broadcasting undertaking in whole or in part in Canada without a licence or without authorization pursuant to an exemption, contrary to the Act, after 27 April 2018. Or, if such a finding has been made by the Commission, the undertaking or person involved with the undertaking has obtained prior written permission from the Commission to operate under this exemption order.

Conditions of service

The programming provided by the undertaking consists of live or pre-recorded messages which provide the public with information about local traffic, weather and marine conditions, road and boating conditions, highway construction and closures, airport arrival and departure information, ferry and train schedules, current border crossing regulations and wait times, conditions on bridges and in mountain passes, advisories of approaching large vehicles (example: logging, construction, road maintenance and other large vehicles) and any other locally relevant information relating to attractions and events of interest to tourists. The programming must be principally relevant to tourists and temporary visitors to the area and is not meant to fulfill the same role in the broadcasting system as local programming for habitual residents.
The undertaking does not rebroadcast the programming service of any licensed or exempted radio or television undertaking.
The programming provided by the undertaking contains no musical selections, except as incidental background music.
The undertaking does not broadcast programming that is religious or political in nature.
The undertaking’s programming complies with the guidelines on gender portrayal set out in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ Equitable Portrayal Code, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
The undertaking adheres to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ Broadcast Code for Advertising to Children, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
The undertaking shall keep logs, records and recordings consistent with the requirements set out at section 8 and subsection 9(4) of the Radio Regulations, 1986.
Where a station makes use of the Subsidiary Communications Multiplex Operation (SCMO) for the purpose of broadcasting audio programs, it must register that SCMO with the Commission using Registration for Exempt Low-Power Radio Programming Undertakings – Form 151.

Public Alerting System

The undertaking

(a) has implemented a public alerting system for the station that broadcasts without delay any audio alert that it receives from the National Alert Aggregation and Dissemination System, that

(i) announces an imminent or unfolding danger to life; and

(ii) is designated by the applicable issuing authority for immediate broadcast in the station’s AM 5 mV/m contour or FM 0.5 mV/m contour, as the case may be.

(b) shall implement the public alerting system for each of its transmitters.

(c) shall broadcast the alert on transmitters that serve the area that is targeted by the alert.

(d) shall take all reasonable measures to ensure that the alerts that it broadcasts are in conformity with the specifications and recommended practices set out in the document entitled National Public Alerting System: Common Look and Feel Guidance, produced at the request of the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Public Alerting Working Group of Senior Officials Responsible for Emergency Management with the support of Defence Research and Development Canada – Centre for Security Science, Canadian Safety and Security Program, and in consultation with the public-private Common Look and Feel Working Group, as that document is amended from time to time.

For the purposes of this provision, the terms “issuing authority” and “National Alert Aggregation and Dissemination System” shall have the same meaning as that set out in the Radio Regulations, 1986.

Appendix 2 to Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2026-118

Broadcasting Order CRTC 2026-120

Exemption order for low-power radio programming undertakings providing programming that is derived solely from houses of worship

Purpose

The purpose of these radio programming undertakings is to provide live local broadcasts of religious services, weddings, funerals, and other such religious celebrations and ceremonies.

Criteria

The low-power undertaking operates in the AM frequency band or in the FM frequency band with parameters associated with low-power undertakings as defined by the Department of Industry (also known as Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, hereafter, the Department) in Parts II and III of its Broadcasting Procedures and Rules.
The undertaking meets all technical requirements of the Department and has acquired all authorizations or certificates prescribed by that Department.
The Commission would not be prohibited from licensing the undertaking by virtue of any Act of Parliament or any direction to the Commission by the Governor in Council.
The undertaking registers with the Commission prior to commencement of operations (that is, no later than upon receipt of the broadcasting certificate from the Department) using the form prescribed by the Commission, namely, Registration for Exempt Low-Power Radio Programming Undertakings – Form 151. If the undertaking is already in operation on the effective date of this order, the undertaking registers with the Commission within 60 days. The undertaking is required to update the registration within 30 days of any subsequent change of information contained in that form, including, but not limited to, contact information, ownership information and any technical change.
Neither the undertaking nor any person involved with the undertaking, including but not limited to involvement with the ownership, operation, management and financing of the undertaking, has been found by the Commission to have been carrying on a broadcasting undertaking in whole or in part in Canada without a licence or without authorization pursuant to an exemption, contrary to the Act, after 27 April 2018. Or, if such a finding has been made by the Commission, the undertaking or person involved with the undertaking has obtained prior written permission from the Commission to operate under this exemption order.

Conditions of service

The programming provided by the undertaking consists solely of live local broadcasts of religious services, weddings, funerals, and other such religious celebrations and ceremonies.
The programming provided by the undertaking contains no advertising material.
The undertaking does not broadcast the programming of any other programming undertaking.
The undertaking does not broadcast any musical selections unless they form an integral part of the religious ceremony being broadcast.
The undertaking’s programming complies with the guidelines on ethics for religious programming set out in section IV of Religious Broadcasting Policy, Public Notice CRTC 1993-78, 3 June 1993, regarding tolerance, integrity, social responsibility and the solicitation of funds.
The undertaking’s programming complies with the guidelines on gender portrayal set out in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ Equitable Portrayal Code, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
Where a station makes use of the Subsidiary Communications Multiplex Operation (SCMO) for the purpose of broadcasting audio programs, it must register that SCMO with the Commission using Registration for Exempt Low-Power Radio Programming Undertakings – Form 151.

Appendix 3 to Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2026-118

Broadcasting Order CRTC 2026-121

Exemption order respecting certain Indigenous radio undertakings

Pursuant to subsection 9(4) of the Broadcasting Act (the Act), the Commission exempts those persons carrying on radio programming undertakings of the class defined by the purpose and criteria set out below from the requirements of Part II of the Act, with the exception of sections 9.1, 10, 12, 31.1, 32, 33, 33.1 and 34. The Commission also exempts those persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings of the class defined by the purpose and criteria set out below from the requirements of any regulations, except as otherwise provided.

Purpose

The purpose of these radio programming undertakings is to provide radio programming that reflects the interests and needs of and is specifically oriented to the Indigenous communities they serve. These undertakings have a distinct role in fostering the development of Indigenous cultures in Canada and, where possible, the preservation of ancestral languages. These undertakings broadcast programming in any Indigenous language or in either or both of English and French languages and make the greatest practicable use of Canadian creative and other resources in the creation and presentation of programming.

Criteria

The undertaking is owned and controlled by a not-for-profit organization whose structure provides for board membership by the Indigenous population of the region served.
The primary purpose of the undertaking is not to provide a religious programming service.
No commercial AM, FM or digital radio programming undertaking or terrestrial radiocommunication distribution undertaking that distributes the programming of a commercial radio undertaking is licensed to operate in all or in any part of the undertaking’s geographical area enclosed within: (a) in the case of an Indigenous AM station, the 5 millivolt-per-metre daytime contour; or (b) in the case of an Indigenous FM station, the 500 microvolt-per-metre contour. For greater clarity, the contour means a service contour marked for each transmitter on the map that pertains to that station and that is most recently published by the Department of Industry (also known as Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, hereafter, the Department).
The undertaking meets all technical requirements of the Department and has acquired all authorizations or certificates prescribed by the Department.
The Commission would not be prohibited from licensing the undertaking by virtue of any Act of Parliament or any direction to the Commission by the Governor in Council.
Neither the undertaking nor any person involved with the undertaking, including but not limited to involvement with the ownership, operation, management and financing of the undertaking, has been found by the Commission to have been carrying on a broadcasting undertaking in whole or in part in Canada without a licence or without authorization pursuant to an exemption, contrary to the Act, after 27 April 2018. Or, if such a finding has been made by the Commission, the undertaking or person involved with the undertaking has obtained prior written permission from the Commission to operate under this exemption order.

Conditions of service

The undertaking provides radio programming that reflects the interests and needs of and is specifically oriented to the Indigenous communities it serves.
The undertaking broadcasts programming in Indigenous languages, English and/or French.
The undertaking’s programming complies with the guidelines on gender portrayal set out in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ (CAB) Equitable Portrayal Code and the provisions of the CAB’s Broadcast Code for Advertising to Children, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
The undertaking shall adhere to the requirements of sections 3, 3.1, 3.2, 4 and 5 (broadcasting content) of the Radio Regulations, 1986, with the necessary modifications.

Public Alerting System

The undertaking

(a) has implemented a public alerting system for the station that broadcasts without delay any audio alert that it receives from the National Alert Aggregation and Dissemination System, that

(i) announces an imminent or unfolding danger to life; and

(ii) is designated by the applicable issuing authority for immediate broadcast in the station’s AM 5 mV/m contour or FM 0.5 mV/m contour, as the case may be.

(b) shall implement the public alerting system for each of its transmitters.

(c) shall broadcast the alert on transmitters that serve the area that is targeted by the alert.

(d) shall ensure that the alerts that it broadcasts are in conformity with the specifications and recommended practices set out in the document entitled National Public Alerting System: Common Look and Feel Guidance, produced at the request of the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Public Alerting Working Group of Senior Officials Responsible for Emergency Management with the support of Defence Research and Development Canada – Centre for Security Science, Canadian Safety and Security Program, and in consultation with the public-private Common Look and Feel Working Group, as that document is amended from time to time.

For the purposes of this provision, the terms “issuing authority” and “National Alert Aggregation and Dissemination System” shall have the same meanings as those set out in the Radio Regulations, 1986.

Appendix 4 to Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2026-118

Broadcasting Order CRTC 2026-122

Exemption order respecting radio and television temporary network special event type 1 undertakings

Purpose

The purpose of these radio and/or television network undertakings is to supply radio and/or television stations licensed or exempted by the Commission with coverage of unexpected, non-recurring events, such as special concerts and commemorative programs, recurring annual special events such as awards shows and fund-raising telethons, or of public emergencies such as natural disasters and major accidents.

Criteria

The undertaking is a network operation and, in Canada, distributes programming to licensed or exempted radio or television undertakings only.
The undertaking meets all technical requirements of the Department of Industry (also known as Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, hereafter, the Department) and has acquired all authorizations or certificates prescribed by the Department.
The Commission would not be prohibited from licensing the undertaking by virtue of any Act of Parliament or any direction to the Commission by the Governor in Council.
The undertaking

(a) distributes its programming for a period of less than 24 consecutive hours, where the broadcast is either a one-time, non-recurring event, or a recurring annual special event, or

(b) distributes its programming over a period of not more than seven consecutive days, where the broadcast is of a public emergency.
Neither the undertaking nor any person involved with the undertaking, including but not limited to involvement with the ownership, operation, management and financing of the undertaking, has been found by the Commission to have been carrying on a broadcasting undertaking in whole or in part in Canada without a licence or without authorization pursuant to an exemption, contrary to the Act, after 27 April 2018. Or, if such a finding has been made by the Commission, the undertaking or person involved with the undertaking has obtained prior written permission from the Commission to operate under this exemption order.

Conditions of service

The programming is live or pre-recorded and, if the latter, is broadcast within 24 hours of the original recording.
The undertaking does not broadcast programming that is religious or political in nature.
The undertaking’s programming complies with the guidelines on gender portrayal set out in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ (CAB) Equitable Portrayal Code and the provisions of the CAB’s Broadcast Code for Advertising to Children, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.

Appendix 5 to Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2026-118

Broadcasting Order CRTC 2026-123

Exemption order respecting low-power radio: Limited duration special event facilitating undertakings

Purpose

The purpose of these radio programming undertakings is to allow those attending special, generally recognized events a fuller appreciation of those events through the provision of locally originated informational programming related directly to these events.

Criteria

The low-power undertaking operates in the AM frequency band or in the FM frequency band with parameters associated with low-power undertakings as defined by the Department of Industry (also known as Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, hereafter, the Department) in Parts II and III of its Broadcasting Procedures and Rules.
The undertaking meets all technical requirements of the Department and has acquired all authorizations or certificates prescribed by the Department.
The Commission would not be prohibited from licensing the undertaking by virtue of any Act of Parliament or any direction to the Commission by the Governor in Council.
The undertaking operates as ancillary to and for the purpose of facilitating a special event.
The undertaking is operated for a single period, in respect of any special event, consisting of no more than 28 consecutive days in any calendar year.
Neither the undertaking nor any person involved with the undertaking, including but not limited to involvement with the ownership, operation, management and financing of the undertaking, has been found by the Commission to have been carrying on a broadcasting undertaking in whole or in part in Canada without a licence or without authorization pursuant to an exemption, contrary to the Act, after 27 April 2018. Or, if such a finding has been made by the Commission, the undertaking or person involved with the undertaking has obtained prior written permission from the Commission to operate under this exemption order.

Conditions of service

The undertaking originates all of its programming from the property upon which the event takes place.
The undertaking does not rebroadcast the programming of any other undertaking.
The undertaking restricts its programming to the specific recognized (sports, cultural or touristic) event and does not duplicate the programming service of any licensed or exempted radio undertaking or the audio portion of a licensed or exempted television undertaking.
The undertaking does not broadcast programming that is religious or political in nature.
The undertaking’s programming complies with the guidelines on gender portrayal set out in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ (CAB) Equitable Portrayal Code and the provisions of the CAB’s Broadcast Code for Advertising to Children, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
The undertaking limits on-air commercial activity to sponsor identification or promotion with sponsor mention.

In this section:

“commercial message” means an advertisement intended to sell or promote goods, services, natural resources or activities and includes an advertisement that mentions or displays in a list of prizes the names of the person selling or promoting those goods, services, natural resources or activities;

“sponsor identification” means the identification of a sponsor of a program or program segment other than a commercial message or a promotion with sponsor mention; and

“promotion with sponsor mention” means verbal or musical material promoting increased listening to the station or to specific announcers, programs or programming elements, when accompanied by the identification of a sponsor.

Appendix 6 to Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2026-118

Broadcasting Order CRTC 2026-124

Exemption order respecting low-power radio: Ultra low power announcement service (LPAS) undertakings

Pursuant to subsection 9(4) of the Broadcasting Act (the Act), the Commission exempts those persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings of the class defined by the purpose and criteria set out below from the requirements of Part II of the Act with the exception of sections 9.1, 10, 12, 31.1, 32, 33, 33.1 and 34. The Commission also exempts those persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings of the class defined by the purpose and criteria set out below from the requirements of any regulations, except as otherwise provided.

Purpose

The purpose of these radio programming undertakings is to allow those such as real estate agents, store owners and local authorities to communicate to the public messages of an informative, sometimes commercial nature, regarding their activities by means of ultra low-power transmitters, e.g., “talking signs.”

Criteria

The undertaking operates between 525 and 1705 kHz in the AM frequency band or between 88 and 107.5 MHz in the FM frequency band.
In the case of an undertaking using the AM broadcasting band, the maximum power output of the transmitter into its antenna, without modulation, does not produce a field strength, as measured at a distance of 30 metres, of more than 0.25 millivolts per metre (mV/m) and, in the case of an undertaking using the FM broadcasting band, the maximum power output of the transmitter into its antenna, without modulation, does not produce a field strength, as measured at a distance of 30 metres, of more than 0.1 mV/m.
The undertaking meets all technical requirements of the Department of Industry (also known as Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, hereafter, the Department) and has acquired all authorizations or certifications prescribed by the Department.
The Commission would not be prohibited from licensing the undertaking by virtue of any Act of Parliament or any direction to the Commission by the Governor in Council.
Neither the undertaking nor any person involved with the undertaking, including but not limited to involvement with the ownership, operation, management and financing of the undertaking, has been found by the Commission to have been carrying on a broadcasting undertaking in whole or in part in Canada without a licence or without authorization pursuant to an exemption, contrary to the Act, after 27 April 2018. Or, if such a finding has been made by the Commission, the undertaking or person involved with the undertaking has obtained prior written permission from the Commission to operate under this exemption order.

Conditions of service

The undertaking only communicates to the public messages of an informative, sometimes commercial nature, regarding their activities by means of ultra low-power transmitters, e.g., “talking signs.”
The undertaking originates all of its programming.
The undertaking does not rebroadcast the programming of another undertaking.
The undertaking does not broadcast programming that is religious or political in nature.
The undertaking, if it promotes commercial activity or is commercially oriented, does not broadcast the same message on more than one transmitter.

Appendix 7 to Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2026-118

Broadcasting Order CRTC 2026-125

Exemption order respecting carrier current undertakings whose services are not carried on distribution undertakings

Pursuant to subsection 9(4) of the Broadcasting Act (the Act),the Commission exempts those persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings of the class defined by the purpose and criteria set out below, from the requirements of Part II of the Act with the exception of sections 9.1, 10, 12, 31.1, 32, 33, 33.1 and 34. The Commission also exempts those persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings of the class defined by the purpose and criteria set out below from the requirements of any regulations, except as otherwise provided.

Purpose

The purpose of these carrier current undertakings is to provide a locally originated programming service for the benefit of residents of such institutions as colleges and universities.

Criteria

The undertaking operates in the AM frequency band, using a transmitter that radiates a signal solely through the electrical system of a building or adjacent buildings.
The undertaking meets all technical requirements of the Department of Industry (also known as Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, hereafter, the Department) set out in Part II of its Broadcasting Procedures and Rules and has acquired all authorizations or certificates prescribed by the Department.
The Commission would not be prohibited from licensing the undertaking by virtue of any Act of Parliament or any direction to the Commission by the Governor in Council.
Neither the undertaking nor any person involved with the undertaking, including but not limited to involvement with the ownership, operation, management and financing of the undertaking, has been found by the Commission to have been carrying on a broadcasting undertaking in whole or in part in Canada without a licence or without authorization pursuant to an exemption, contrary to the Act, after 27 April 2018. Or, if such a finding has been made by the Commission, the undertaking or person involved with the undertaking has obtained prior written permission from the Commission to operate under this exemption order.

Conditions of service

The undertakings provide a locally originated programming service for the benefit of residents of such institutions as colleges and universities.
The programming of the undertaking is not distributed by any distribution undertaking.
The undertaking’s programming complies with the guidelines on gender portrayal set out in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ (CAB) Equitable Portrayal Code and the provisions of the CAB’s Broadcast Code for Advertising to Children,as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.

Appendix 8 to Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2026-118

Broadcasting Order CRTC 2026-126

Exemption order for radiocommunication distribution undertakings

Pursuant to subsection 9(4) of the Broadcasting Act (the Act), the Commission exempts those persons carrying on radiocommunication distribution undertakings (RDUs) as defined by the purpose and criteria set out below, from the requirements of Part II of the Act with the exception of sections 9.1, 10, 12, 31.1, 32, 33, 33.1 and 34. The Commission also exempts those persons carrying on RDUs as defined by the purpose and criteria set out below from the requirements of any regulations, except as otherwise provided.

Purpose

The purpose of these RDUs is to serve small, rural and/or often remote communities having small populations by distributing the services of one or more programming undertakings, as authorized by the Commission.

Criteria

Each channel used by the undertaking to distribute radio and/or television signals does not exceed the power limits for low and very low power transmitters, as defined in the Department of Industry’s (also known as Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, hereafter, the Department) Broadcast Procedures and Rules (Parts II, III and IV).
The undertaking meets all the technical requirements of the Department and has acquired all authorization or certificates prescribed by the Department.
The Commission would not be prohibited from licensing the undertaking by virtue of any Act of Parliament or any direction to the Commission by the Governor in Council.
The undertaking distributes services by means of radiocommunication and distributes no service of a programming undertaking other than one which the Commission has authorized by regulation or otherwise.
The undertaking operates in an area covered by the local service contour (official Grade A contour or official digital urban contour) of no more than two licensed television programming undertakings.
Any undertaking licensed by the Commission as a RDU as of 1 November 2012 shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this exemption order so long as it continues to operate in accordance with the specific frequencies, contours, effective radiated powers and effective height of antenna above average terrain authorized by the Department for the undertaking as of 1 November 2012.

Conditions of service

The undertaking does not alter the content or format of a programming service or delete a programming service in the course of its distribution except:

(a) for the purpose of complying with subsection 328(1) of the Canada Elections Act;

(b) for the purpose of deleting a programming service to comply with an order of a court prohibiting the distribution of the service to any part of the licensed area;

(c) for the purpose of altering a programming service to insert a warning to the public announcing:

(i) any danger to life or property if the insertion is provided for in an agreement entered into by the licensee with the operator of the service or the network responsible for the service; or

(ii) an imminent or unfolding danger to life if there is no agreement with the operator of the service or the network responsible for the service;

(d) for the purpose of preventing the breach of programming or underlying rights of a third party, in accordance with an agreement entered into with the operator of the service or the network responsible for the service; or

(e) for the purpose of deleting a subsidiary signal, unless the signal is itself a programming service or is related to the service being distributed.
The undertaking originates no programming itself.
The undertaking

(a) has implemented a public alerting system that alters without delay a programming service being distributed by the undertaking in its service area in order to insert any alert that it receives – in a form including both text and audio content – from the National Alert Aggregation and Dissemination System, that

(i) announces an imminent or unfolding danger to life; and

(ii) is designated by the applicable issuing authority for immediate broadcast or distribution in all or part of the undertaking’s AM 5 mV/m contour, FM 0.5 mV/m contour, digital service area, Grade B official contour, or the noise-limited bounding contour, as the case may be.

(b) shall implement the public alerting system for each of its transmitters.

(c) shall broadcast the alert on transmitters that serve the area that is targeted by the alert.

(d) shall take all reasonable measures to ensure that the alerts are in conformity with the specifications and recommended practices set out in the document entitled National Public Alerting System: Common Look and Feel Guidance, produced at the request of the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Public Alerting Working Group of Senior Officials Responsible for Emergency Management with the support of Defence Research and Development Canada – Centre for Security Science, Canadian Safety and Security Program, and in consultation with the public-private Common Look and Feel Working Group, as that document is amended from time to time.

For the purpose of this provision, the terms “issuing authority” and “National Alert Aggregation and Dissemination System” shall have the same meaning as that set out in the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations.

Appendix 9 to Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2026-118

Broadcasting Order CRTC 2026-127

Exemption order respecting network operations

Pursuant to subsection 9(4) of the Broadcasting Act (the Act), the Commission exempts those persons who carry on broadcasting undertakings of the class defined by the purpose and criteria set out below from the requirements of Part II of the Act, with the exception of sections 9.1, 10, 12, 31.1, 32, 33, 33.1 and 34. The Commission also exempts those persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings of the class defined by the purpose and criteria set out below from the requirements of any regulations, except as otherwise provided.

Purpose

The purpose of these network undertakings is to provide programming that originates from a licensed radio or television station for simultaneous broadcast by one or more licensed or exempted radio stations.

Criteria

The undertaking only provides programming that originates from a licensed radio or television station for simultaneous broadcast by one or more licensed or exempted radio stations.
The undertaking meets all technical requirements of the Department of Industry (also known as Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, hereafter, the Department) and has acquired all authorizations or certificates prescribed by the Department.
The Commission would not be prohibited from licensing the undertaking by virtue of any Act of Parliament or any direction to the Commission by the Governor in Council.

Conditions of service

The undertaking does not involve any station operated by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
The programming provided by the undertaking originates from a licensed radio or television station.
The operator of the undertaking is also the licensee of the originating radio or television station.
The undertaking provides programming in Canada only to licensed or exempted radio stations.
All stations involved in the undertaking broadcast the programming simultaneously.

Appendix 10 to Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2026-118

Broadcasting Order CRTC 2026-128

Exemption order respecting public emergency radio undertakings

Pursuant to subsection 9(4) of the Broadcasting Act (the Act), the Commission exempts those persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings of the class defined by the purpose and criteria set out below from the requirements of Part II of the Act with the exception of sections 9.1, 10, 12, 31.1, 32, 33, 33.1 and 34. The Commission also exempts those persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings of the class defined by the purpose and criteria set out below from the requirements of any regulations, except as otherwise provided.

Purpose

The purpose of these radio programming undertakings is to provide information related to public emergencies, such as natural disasters and major accidents, to those immediately affected.

Criteria

The undertaking operates between 525 and 1705 kHz in the AM frequency band or between 88 and 107.5 MHz in the FM frequency band.
The undertaking broadcasts at a power of 5 watts or less transmitter power for AM or with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 5 watts or less for FM.
The undertaking meets all technical requirements of the Department of Industry (also known as Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, hereafter, the Department) and has acquired all authorizations or certificates prescribed by the Department.
The undertaking is operated by a member, in their capacity as such, of a police department, fire department or any organization designated by a federal, provincial or municipal government as being responsible for the coordination of emergency relief.
The undertaking broadcasts its programming over a period of not more than seven consecutive days.

Conditions of service

The programming provided by the undertaking is information and instruction regarding a public emergency.
The programming provided by the undertaking contains no music or advertising material.
The programming is live or pre-recorded and, if the latter, is broadcast within 24 hours of the original recording.
The undertaking does not broadcast programming that is religious or political in nature.

Appendix 11 to Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2026-118

Broadcasting Order CRTC 2026-129

Exemption order respecting low-power radio: Temporary resource development distribution undertakings

Purpose

The purpose of these radio programming undertakings is to make available to employees of temporary mining, logging and other such temporary installations, rebroadcasts of Canadian radio stations, for the duration of the use of the installations.

Criteria

The undertaking operates between 525 and 1705 kHz in the AM frequency band, or between 88 and 108 MHz in the FM frequency band.
The undertaking broadcasts at a power of less than 100 watts transmitter power for AM, or with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 50 watts or less for FM.
The undertaking operates in an area that is not within the 0.5 millivolt per metre (mV/m) daytime contour of a protected AM station licensed by the Commission, or the 0.5 mV/m realistic contour of a protected FM station licensed by the Commission, broadcasting in the same language as the undertaking.
The undertaking meets all technical requirements of the Department of Industry (also known as Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, hereafter, the Department) and has acquired all authorizations or certificates prescribed by the Department.
The Commission would not be prohibited from licensing the undertaking by virtue of any Act of Parliament or any direction to the Commission by the Governor in Council.
The undertaking operates within a temporary installation for activities such as mining or logging and ceases operation upon completion of the work project.
The undertaking is operated by or on behalf of the person who owns or leases all of the property on which the undertaking is situated and who supplies the population of the installation served by the undertaking with such common amenities as food and shelter.

Conditions of service

The undertaking originates no programming itself.
The undertaking distributes, without curtailment or alteration, the signal of a Canadian station licensed or exempted by the Commission.

Appendix 12 to Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2026-118

Broadcasting Order CRTC 2026-130

Exemption order respecting shortwave broadcast undertakings

Pursuant to subsection 9(4) of the Broadcasting Act (the Act), the Commission exempts those persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings of the class defined by the criteria set out below from the requirements of Part II of the Act, with the exception of sections 9.1, 10, 12, 31.1, 32, 33, 33.1 and 34. The Commission also exempts those persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings of the class defined by the criteria set out below from the requirements of any regulations, except as otherwise provided.

Criteria

The undertaking operates on the high frequency band 3 MHz to 30 MHz.
The Commission would not be prohibited from licensing the undertaking by virtue of any Act of Parliament or any direction to the Commission by the Governor in Council.
The undertaking provides a service that is intended only for reception outside Canada and that is receivable only outside Canada, except for limited spillover reception in Canada that cannot be avoided close to the transmitter site or because the desired coverage outside Canada could not otherwise be attained.

Conditions of service

The undertaking broadcasts or rebroadcasts no programming other than:

(a) programming of, or supplied by, a publicly funded government agency whose mandate is to provide an international radio service, such as, for example, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s Radio Canada International, and

(b) simple statements of sponsorship that identify the sponsors of a program or of the station. Such statements may incorporate the name of the sponsor and a brief general description of the types of services or products the sponsor provides, including the price, name and brand name of the product. Such statements must not contain language that attempts to persuade consumers to purchase and thus must not contain references to convenience, durability or desirability or contain other comparative or competitive references.