Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2020-85

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Reference: 2019-303

Ottawa, 4 March 2020

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Chisasibi, Wemindji, Waskaganish, Waswanipi, Mistissini and Québec, Quebec

Public record for these applications: 2019-0375-8 and 2019-0395-6
Public hearing in the National Capital Region
5 November 2019

English-language FM radio station in Chisasibi and licence amendment for CBVE-FM Québec

  1. The Commission approves an application (2019-0395-6) by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) for a broadcasting licence to operate a new English-language FM radio programming undertaking in Chisasibi, Quebec, and to operate the following rebroadcasting transmitters under that broadcasting licence: CBMW-FM Wemindji, CBMQ-FM Waskaganish, CBVW-FM Waswanipi and CBVS-FM Mistissini. These transmitters are currently operating as rebroadcasting transmitters for the English-language radio station CBVE-FM Québec. The terms and conditions of licence are set out in the appendix to this decision. The broadcasting licence of the new station will expire on 31 August 2020, which corresponds to the expiry date of the broadcasting licence for the CBC’s audio and audiovisual services, as noted in Notice of Hearing, Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2019-379, 25 November 2019.
  2. The new station will operate at 105.1 MHz (channel 286A1) with an effective radiated power of 105 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 5.8 metres), the current technical parameters for CBMP-FM Chisasibi, also currently operating as a rebroadcasting transmitter for CBVE-FM. All of the rebroadcasting transmitters for the new station will operate in accordance with their current technical parameters.
  3. In light of the above, the Commission also approves an application (2019-0375-8) by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to amend the broadcasting licence for CBVE-FM Québec by deleting its rebroadcasting transmitters CBMP-FM Chisasibi, CBMW-FM Wemindji, CBMQ-FM Waskaganish, CBVW-FM Waswanipi and CBVS-FM Mistissini.
  4. The Commission did not receive any interventions regarding these applications.
  5. The CBC indicated that, in addition to broadcasting programming from its national Radio One network, as did CBMP-FM as a rebroadcasting transmitter, the new station will also broadcast a minimum of 15 hours of local Cree-language programming (Winschgaoug and Eyou Dipajimoun) during each broadcast week.
  6. The proposed local programming currently airs on ICI Radio-Canada Première, the French-language station in the region. The CBC indicated that moving this programming to the new English-language station will improve service for the local community of Chisasibi, where English is more widely spoken than French.

Secretary General
This decision is to be appended to the licence.

Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2020-85

Terms and conditions of licence for the English-language FM radio programming undertaking in Chisasibi, Quebec, and its rebroadcasting transmitters in Wemindji, Waskaganish, Waswanipi and Mistissini

Terms

The licence will expire 31 August 2020.
The station will operate at 105.1 MHz (channel 286A1) with an effective radiated power of 105 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of antenna above average terrain of 5.8 metres).
The rebroadcasting transmitters will operate in accordance with their current technical parameters.
Pursuant to section 22(1) of the Broadcasting Act, this authority will only be effective when the Department of Industry notifies the Commission that its technical requirements have been met and that broadcasting certificates will be issued.

Furthermore, the Commission will only issue a licence for this undertaking once the applicant has informed the Commission in writing that it is prepared to commence operations. The undertaking, as well as the rebroadcasting transmitters to be operated under the undertaking’s broadcasting licence, must be in operation by no later than 4 mars 2022. To request an extension, the applicant must submit a written request to the Commission at least 60 days before that date, using the form available on the Commission’s website.

Conditions of licence

  1. The licensee shall, in each broadcast week, devote at least 50% of its musical selections from content category 2 (Popular Music) to Canadian selections.
  2. The licensee shall, in each broadcast week, devote at least 20% of its musical selections from content category 3 (Special Interest Music) to Canadian selections.
  3. The licensee shall, in each broadcast week, devote at least 25% of its musical selections from content subcategory 31 (Concert) to Canadian selections.
  4. The licensee shall, in each broadcast week, devote at least 20% of its musical selections from content subcategory 34 (Jazz and blues) to Canadian selections.
  5. The licensee’s national news and information programming shall reflect the country’s regions and Official Language Minority Communities, and promote respect and understanding between them.
  6. The licensee shall adhere to the Equitable Portrayal Code, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission. However, the application of the foregoing condition of licence will be suspended if the licensee becomes and remains a member in good standing of the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council.
  7. By 30 November of each year, the licensee shall provide a report, in a form acceptable to the Commission, containing results of an English-language Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs) audience perception survey on how well the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s English-language television and radio services are reflecting the OLMCs.
  8. The licensee shall not broadcast any advertising (content category 5) except:
    1. during programs available to the network only on a sponsored basis; or
    2. as required to fulfill the requirements of the legislation of the Parliament of Canada pertaining to elections.

For the purposes of the conditions of licence 1 through 4 and 8, content categories and subcategories are defined in Revised content categories and subcategories for radio, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-819, 5 November 2010.

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