Speech
Opening remarks
by Barbara Cram
Regional Commissioner, Manitoba and Saskatchewan
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
at the public hearing in Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina, Saskatchewan
October 30, 2006
(CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY)
Good morning ladies and gentlemen and welcome to this public hearing.
My name is Barbara Cram and I am the Regional Commissioner for Manitoba and Saskatchewan for the CRTC. I will be presiding over this hearing. Joining me on the panel are my colleagues Michel Arpin, Vice-Chair of Broadcasting; Rita Cugini, Regional Commissioner for Ontario; Ronald Williams, Regional Commissioner for Alberta and the Northwest Territories; and Joan Pennefather, National Commissioner.
The Commission team assisting us includes the Manager of Radio Applications and Policy, Lyne Cape, who is also acting as Hearing Manager; Leanne Bennett, Legal Counsel; and Hearing Secretary Chantal Boulet. Please speak with Ms. Boulet if you have any questions with regard to hearing procedures.
Radio applications
At this hearing, we will first study eight applications to operate a new English-language commercial FM radio station in the Medicine Hat, Alberta market. We will also hear an application to change the frequency and authorized contours of radio station CJLT-FM Medicine Hat.
The panel will then consider five applications to operate a new English-language commercial FM radio station and one application to operate a new English- and Aboriginal-language native Type B FM radio station in the Regina market. As well, we will examine an application to amend the licence of the native radio station CJLR-FM La Ronge in order to add an FM transmitter at Regina.
Finally, we will consider eight applications to operate a new English-language commercial FM radio station and one application to operate a new English- and Aboriginal-language native Type B FM radio station in the Saskatoon market.
Some applications are competing technically for the same frequencies in the Medicine Hat, Regina and Saskatoon markets.
We will study the proposals in light of the cultural, economic and social objectives defined in the Broadcasting Act and the regulations flowing from it.
The panel will base its decision on several criteria, including the state of competition and the diversity of editorial voices in each market, as well as the quality of the applications. It will also look at the ability of the markets to support new radio stations, the financial resources of each applicant and proposed initiatives for the development of Canadian talent.
Aboriginal Voices Radio Inc.
We will then look at the applications to renew Aboriginal Voices Radio’s licences for its radio undertakings at Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Ottawa. The Commission will discuss a number of issues with the licensee, including its programming commitments and its apparent non-compliance with certain sections of the Radio Regulations, 1986 and conditions of licence.
Process
I will now invite the Hearing Secretary, Chantal Boulet, to explain the procedures we will be following. Ms. Boulet…
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Date Modified: 2006-10-30
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