ARCHIVED -  Public Notice CRTC 1999-169

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Public Notice

Ottawa, 18 October 1999
Public Notice CRTC 1999-169
FM emergency messaging systems: Call for comments on a proposed exemption order
Summary
The Commission is calling for public comment on a proposed exemption order for low-power FM emergency messaging systems.
Introduction
1.  The Commission has received a request to exempt from the requirement to hold a licence, the low-power mobile FM emergency messaging systems for use by police, emergency personnel, military, and fire departments to alert the public to natural disasters, emergency road conditions and major accidents, industrial threats, evacuations, and search and rescue.
2.  The Commission uses exemption orders to implement section 9 (4) of the Broadcasting Act (the Act). This section specifies that the Commission shall exempt from regulation or licensing any class of broadcasting undertaking where it is clear that licensing or regulation will not contribute in a material way to the implementation of the broadcasting policy for Canada set out in the Act.
Call for comments
3.  The Commission invites written comments on the draft exemption order set out in the appendix to this notice. The Commission will accept comments that it receives on or before 17 November 1999.
4.  The Commission will not formally acknowledge written comments. It will, however, fully consider all comments and they will form part of the public record of the proceeding, provided that the procedures for filing set out below have been followed.
Procedure for filing comments
5.Interested parties should send their comments on the proposed exemption order to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, K1A ON2
· Parties must file all submissions in "hard copy format" (i.e. on paper).
· Comments longer than five pages should include a summary.
6.  The Commission also encourages parties to file electronic versions of their comments by e-mail or on diskette. The Commission's e-mail address for electronically filed documents is procedure@crtc.gc.ca
· Electronic submissions should be in the HTML format. As an alternative, those making submissions may use "Microsoft Word" for text and "Microsoft Excel" for spreadsheets.
· Please number each paragraph of the comment. In addition, please enter the line ***End of Document*** following the last paragraph. This will help the Commission verify that the document has not been damaged during transmission.
7.  The Commission will make comments filed in electronic form available on its web site at www.crtc.gc.ca in the official language and format in which they are submitted. This will make it easier for members of the public to consult the documents.
Examination of public comments and related documents at the following Commission offices during normal business hours
Central Building
Les Terrasses de la Chaudière
1 Promenade du Portage, Room G-5
Hull, Quebec K1A ON2
Tel: (819) 997-2429 - TDD: 994-0423
Telecopier: (819) 994-0218
Bank of Commerce Building
1809 Barrington Street
Suite 1007
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3K8
Tel: (902) 426-7997 - TDD: 426-6997
Telecopier: (902) 426-2721
Place Montréal Trust
1800 McGill College Avenue
Suite 1920
Montréal, Quebec H3A 3J6
Tel: (514) 283-6607 - TDD: 283-8316
Telecopier: (514) 283-3689
Kensington Building
275 Portage Avenue
Suite 1810
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2B3
Tel: (204) 983-6306 - TDD: 983-8274
Telecopier: (204) 983-6317
530-580 Hornby Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3B6
Tel: (604) 666-2111 - TDD: 666-0778
Telecopier: (604) 666-8322
CRTC Documentation Centre
55 St. Clair Avenue East
Suite 624
Toronto, Ontario
M4T 1M2
Telephone: (416) 952-9096
Telecopier: (416) 954-6343
CRTC Documentation Centre
Cornwall Professional Building
2125 - 11th Avenue
Room 103
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4P 3X3
Telephone: (306) 780-3422
Telecopier: (306) 780-3319
This notice is available in alternative format upon request, and may also be viewed at the following Internet site: http://www.crtc.gc.ca
Secretary General
Proposed exemption order respecting public emergency radio undertakings
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.
Description
1. The undertaking meets all technical requirements of the Department of Industry and has acquired all authorizations or certificates prescribed by that Department.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. The programming provided by the undertaking is information and instruction regarding a public emergency.
6. The programming provided by the undertaking contains no music or advertising material.
7. The programming is live or on a tape-delayed basis and, if taped, is distributed within 24 hours of the original recording.
8. The undertaking broadcasts its programming over a period of not more than seven consecutive days.
9. The undertaking does not broadcast programming that is religious or political in nature.

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