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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2025-210

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Reference: 2025-18

Gatineau, 18 August 2025

Chetwynd Communications Society
Chetwynd, British Columbia

Public record: 2024-0445-8
Public hearing in the National Capital Region
27 March 2025

English-language community television station in Chetwynd

Summary

The Commission approves an application by the Chetwynd Communications Society for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language low-power community television station in Chetwynd, British Columbia.

The Commission finds that approving this application is in the public interest, as it will help ensure that the station continues to serve the community of Chetwynd by providing it with local programming.

Application

  1. On 20 August 2024, the Commission received an application from the Chetwynd Communications Society (CCS), a not-for-profit organization, for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language low-power community television station in Chetwynd, British Columbia.
  2. The applicant continuously held a licence to operate the service from 1997 to 2020. In 2020 the licence expired and was not renewed due to an administrative error. The present application seeks to rectify the situation through the issuance of a new licence.
  3. The CCS is a not-for-profit organization incorporated in British Columbia. It is controlled by its board of directors.
  4. The station, CHET-DT, would continue to operate on channel 28 with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 21 watts (directional antenna with a maximum ERP of 42 watts and an effective height of antenna above average terrain [EHAAT] of 255.5 metres).
  5. Consistent with Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2016-224, the CCS committed to devote 100% of the station’s programming to the broadcast of Canadian programs, per broadcast year, with local programming being broadcast daily from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. The CCS stated that programming would primarily be broadcast in English, with some content broadcast in Cree.
  6. The Commission did not receive any interventions in regard to this application.

Legal framework

  1. The Commission has the authority, pursuant to subsections 9(1) and 9.1(1) of the Broadcasting Act (the Act), to issue and renew licences and to make orders imposing conditions on the carrying on of a broadcasting undertaking that it considers appropriate for the implementation of the broadcasting policy set out in subsection 3(1) of the Act.
  2. Under subsection 18(1) of the Act, the Commission must conduct a public hearing for the issuance of a broadcasting licence. Applications for broadcasting licences are dealt with at hearings without the appearance of parties 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 approval of the application would have an undue economic impact on incumbent stations; and
    • whether the proposed programming would be consistent with the regulatory framework for community television stations.

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. The CCS is a not-for-profit organization incorporated in British Columbia that allows for membership by members of the community. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and directors are all Canadians. As such, the Commission finds that the CCS meets the requirements of the Direction.
  3. Further, according to the ownership information filed as part of the annual filing of the CCS, the directors and CEO all reside in Chetwynd. Accordingly, the structure of the CCS is consistent with the provisions for management and operation of independent community services set out in Appendix 2 to Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2016-224.Footnote 2

Economic impact on incumbent stations

  1. CHET-DT has been in operation since 2000 and is an established part of the local broadcasting market. Moreover, in its continued operation under a new licence, local and national advertising revenues are expected to have either a marginal or no economic impact on existing television or radio broadcasters in the area.
  2. In light of the above, the Commission finds that approval of this application would not have an undue economic impact on incumbent stations in the market.

Proposed programming

  1. Pursuant to subparagraph 3(1)(d)(iii.4) of the Act, the broadcasting system should support community broadcasting that reflects both the diversity of the communities being served, including with respect to the languages in use within those communities and to their ethnocultural and Indigenous composition, and the high engagement and involvement in community broadcasting by members of those communities, including with respect to matters of public concern.
  2. Furthermore, pursuant to subparagraph 3(1)(s)(iii) of the Act, programming provided by the community element should reflect Canada’s communities, regions, and Indigenous and multicultural nature.
  3. CHET-DT currently broadcasts local and representative programming that reflects the Chetwynd communities, including coverage of local events. The applicant intends to maintain the same type of programming it offered during its previous licence term.
  4. It proposed to operate a 24-hour channel with 100% Canadian content. From 12 a.m. to 6 a.m., the programming schedule would feature community bulletins, including local information, news, and short interviews.
  5. From 6 a.m. to 12 a.m., the CCS proposed that the station would air local programming such as council meetings, town hall meetings, chamber of commerce meetings, music shows, documentaries, and a game show (TV bingo).
  6. The CCS stated that CHET-DT’s programming would primarily be broadcast in English, with some content being broadcast in Cree.
  7. The Commission considers that ensuring the applicant can broadcast Indigenous-language programming if it wishes to, aligns with several of the objectives in the Act. The Commission also notes that the present application is for an English-language station and that the authorized language of broadcast is linked to the nature of the licence, such that an English-language station is authorized to broadcast in the English-language. While the Television Broadcasting Regulations, 1987 (the Regulations) also authorize various types of stations to broadcast a certain amount of ethnic and third-language programming, third language is defined as excluding English, French and Indigenous languages. As a result, if an applicant seeking authorization to operate an English-language station wishes to also broadcast in French or Indigenous languages, it would require additional permission to do so, by way of an order pursuant to subsection 9.1(1) of the Act. Accordingly, the Commission finds it would be appropriate to make an order that Chetwynd may broadcast programming in Indigenous languages, such as Cree. 
  8. In light of the above, the Commission finds that the CCS’s proposed television station would contribute to the achievement of the objectives set out at paragraph 3(1) of the Act, and is consistent with the provisions for television community stations set out in the Regulations and Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2016-224.

Conclusion

  1. In light of all of the above, the Commission approves the application by the Chetwynd Communications Society (CCS), a not-for-profit organization, for a broadcasting licence to operate a low-power community television station in Chetwynd, British Columbia.
  2. The Commission will issue a new broadcasting licence to the CCS to continue the operation of CHET-DT. The licence will expire 31 August 2030.
  3. This decision is to be appended to the licence.

Conditions of service

  1. Given that the applicant proposed to operate CHET-DT under the same terms and conditions as those in its previous licence for the station, the Commission makes the following orders which reflect those requirements, subject to certain modifications.
  2. The Commission notes that it updated the standard requirements for local and community television in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2016-224. As a result, the Commission considers it appropriate to require the CCS to adhere to the updated standard requirements for independent community services so that CHET-DT’s requirements are consistent with the obligations for other community television stations. These include requirements relating to local and Canadian programming, accessibility measures, and limits on advertising.
  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 the Chetwynd Communications Society to adhere to the standard requirements for independent community services set out in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2016-224 as well as to all applicable requirements set out in the Regulations that were made under paragraph 10(1)(a) or under paragraph 10(1)(i) of the old Act.
  5. As noted in paragraph 21, in order to broadcast programming in Cree on CHET-DT, the CCS requires authorization to do so. Accordingly, pursuant to subsection 9.1(1) of the Act, the Commission orders that the Chetwynd Communications Society may devote a portion of its programming each broadcast week to Indigenous-language programming.  
  6. The Commission has implemented obligations with respect to the broadcast of emergency alerts. For reference, see section 18 of the Regulations, as well as Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2014-444. Compliance involves implementing the public alerting system for each of the licensee’s transmitters and ensuring that any alert broadcast decoders (e.g., ENDEC) used for the purposes of broadcasting emergency alert messages be installed and programmed to properly account for the applicable contour (as set out in paragraph 18(2)(b) of the Regulations) of the station as well as that of any rebroadcasting transmitter that may appear on the licence for that station.
  7. Further to these obligations, pursuant to subsection 9.1(1) of the Act the Commission orders the Chetwynd Communications Society to implement the National Public Alerting System and make the appropriate information filings.
  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 licence for the undertaking.
  10. The terms as well as the specifics of these 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, were 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 subsection 9.1(4) 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.

Employment equity

  1. In accordance with Public Notice 1992-59, the licensee should consider employment equity in its hiring practices and in all other aspects of its management of human resources.
  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 2025-210

Terms, conditions of service, and expectation for the English-language, low-power community television programming undertaking CHET-DT Chetwynd, British Columbia

Terms

The licence will expire 31 August 2030.

Conditions of service

  1. The licensee shall adhere to the requirements for community television programming undertakings set out in Section B of Appendix 2 to Policy framework for local and community television, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2016-224, 15 June 2016, as well as the requirements set out in the undertaking’s broadcasting licence.
  2. The licensee shall adhere to all applicable requirements set out in the Television Broadcasting Regulations, 1987, that were made under paragraph 10(1)(a) or under paragraph 10(1)(i) of the old Broadcasting Act.
  3. The licensee may devote a portion of its programming each broadcast week to Indigenous-language programming.
  4. The licensee shall implement the National Public Alerting System by the station’s launch in the manner set out in section 18 of the Television Broadcasting Regulations, 1987 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.

Expectation

Diversity

The Broadcasting Act places significant emphasis on the inclusion and reflection of Indigenous persons as well as 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.

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