ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-41

This page has been archived on the Web

Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. Archived Decisions, Notices and Orders (DNOs) remain in effect except to the extent they are amended or reversed by the Commission, a court, or the government. The text of archived information has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Changes to DNOs are published as “dashes” to the original DNO number. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats by contacting us.

 

Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-41

  Ottawa, 13 February 2006
  Radio campus des étudiants de l'Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières, Quebec
  Application 2005-0349-2
Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2005-65
5 July 2005
 

CFOU-FM Trois-Rivières - Technical change

  The Commission approves the application by Radio campus des étudiants de l'Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières to change the authorized contours of the community-based campus radio programming undertaking CFOU-FM Trois-Rivières.
 

The application

1. The Commission received an application by Radio campus des étudiants de l'Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (Radio campus) to change the authorized contours of the community-based campus radio programming undertaking CFOU-FM Trois-Rivières, by increasing the effective radiated power from 250 watts to 3,000 watts and by decreasing the antenna height. CFOU-FM operates at 89.1 MHz.
2. The station's authorized contours would be expanded significantly as a result of the proposed modification.
 

Interventions

3. The Commission received interventions opposing this application. CKRL-MF 89,1 inc., the licensee of Type B community radio programming undertaking CKRL-FM Québec, opposed the application because it also operates at 89.1 MHz. CKRL-MF 89,1 inc. expressed concern that CFOU-FM's signal could interfere with CKRL-FM's signal, given that CFOU-FM's signal is already reaching CKRL-FM's contours. Further, in CKRL-MF 89,1 inc.'s opinion, the proposed technical change would not enable Radio campus to pursue its mission more effectively.
4. Communication du Versant Nord (CISM FM) inc. (Communication du Versant), the licensee of campus radio programming undertaking CISM-FM Montréal, and La Radio campus communautaire francophone de Shawinigan inc. (La Radio campus de Shawinigan), the licensee of developmental campus radio programming undertaking CFUT-FM Shawinigan, contended that the licensee did not demonstrate that it needs to change CFOU-FM's contours. In addition, these interveners argued that Radio campus did not provide any evidence in support of its application to show that the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières' (UQTR) students living in Trois-Rivières are experiencing difficulties receiving CFOU-FM's signal.
5. Communication du Versant expressed concern that the distance between the proposed contours for CFOU-FM and the contours of CISM-FM Montréal, which operates at 89.3 MHz, would be insufficient.
 

Licensee's replies

6. Radio campus stated that UQTR is a regional university, and does not serve Trois-Rivières exclusively. Radio campus maintained that CFOU-FM's signal is very weak in some locations and that its current 0.5 mV/m contour does not provide full coverage for Trois-Rivières. The licensee noted that the purpose of this application is to pursue its mission more effectively, i.e., to serve UQTR's students. Radio campus also indicated that it wants to serve students in other French-language post-secondary institutions in greater Trois-Rivières, and submitted that the proposed change would enable it to reach students living there.
7. With respect to the impact of a power increase on neighbouring radio stations, Radio campus noted that it demonstrated to the Department of Industry (the Department) that CFOU-FM would comply with all the requisite standards and safeguards.
 

Commission's analysis and determination

8. The Commission has carefully considered the application and the opinions expressed by the licensee and the interveners.
9. In New FM campus/community radio programming undertaking, Decision CRTC 97-138, 15 April 1997, the Commission noted that the campus/community radio station1 proposed for Trois-Rivières would serve UQTR's student community. Further, in Policies for community and campus radio, Public Notice CRTC 1992-38, 29 May 1992, the Commission stated that campus/community stations may also provide access to members of the community at large. In the present case, the Commission considers that approval of the application will allow the licensee to serve the student population of UQTR and other French-language post-secondary institutions in greater Trois-Rivières more effectively.
10. With respect to the concerns raised by the interveners regarding potential interference, the Commission notes that the Department found the licensee's proposal to be conditionally technically acceptable.
11. In light of the above, the Commission approves the application by Radio campus des étudiants de l'Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières to change the authorized contours of the community-based campus radio programming undertaking CFOU-FM Trois-Rivières, by increasing the effective radiated power from 250 watts to 3,000 watts and by decreasing the antenna height.
12. The Department has advised the Commission that, while this application is conditionally technically acceptable, it will only issue a broadcasting certificate when it has determined that the proposed technical parameters will not create any unacceptable interference with aeronautical NAV/COM services.

13.

The Commission reminds the licensee that, pursuant to section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, this authority will only be effective when the Department notifies the Commission that its technical requirements have been met, and that a broadcasting certificate will be issued.
  Secretary General
  This decision is to be appended to the licence. It is available in alternative format upon request, and may also be examined in PDF format or in HTML at the following Internet site: www.crtc.gc.ca
  Footnote:

[1] The term "campus/community" was replaced by the term "community-based campus" in Campus radio policy, Public Notice CRTC 2000‑12, 28 January 2000.

Date Modified: 2006-02-13

Date modified: