Speech
Opening remarks
by Martha Wilson
Commissioner (Ontario Region), Canadian
Radio-television
and Telecommunications Commission
at the public hearing for licence renewals and new
licence applications
for speciality channels and for radio stations
Hull, Quebec
June 19, 2001
(CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY)
Introduction
Good day ladies and gentlemen and welcome to this
public hearing of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC). During this hearing, we will examine applications for
licence renewals by specialty channels and radio stations. We will also
hear an application for the licensing of a new French-language radio
station and for a new television specialty service.
My name is Martha Wilson. I am the Commissioner for the Ontario region
and I will be presiding at this hearing. Here on the panel with me are my
colleagues: Andrew Cardozo, Barbara Cram, Ron Williams and our Vice-Chair
of Broadcasting, Andrée Wylie.
I’d also like to introduce to you the CRTC staff who will be working
with us during the public hearing: our legal counsel, Peter McCallum
and Leanne Bennett, and the hearing manager, Michael Burnside. Michael
Burnside will also be sharing the secretary’s duties with Lynne Poirier,
and Pierrette Ladouceur will be responsible for the public examination
room, which is in the Papineau Room. Please don’t hesitate to address
any of your questions or concerns to them.
Licence applications for specialty channels and radio
stations
The process for each application considered at this
public hearing is divided into three parts. First, we will hear the
applications to renew the licences for specialty channels. Following that,
we will hear from radio stations looking to renew their licences, as well
as an application to operate a new ethnic radio station on an AM frequency
in Montreal. Finally, we will hear from World Television Network / Le Réseau
Télémonde Inc. (WTM), an applicant seeking a licence to carry on a
national specialty television service.
Speciality programming
Most of the applicants for specialty television
programming appearing here today are groups who have been licensed for a
very long time. These applicants have been called to appear before the
Commission so that they can present their plans for future programming in
order to renew their licences.
The Commission will assess individual applications in light of the
proposed initiatives, and will also look at a range of societal issues,
such as cultural diversity, closed captioning and access for the blind.
Radio renewals
The Commission will also hear from radio stations intending to renew
their licences. Three of these stations, who are appearing for alleged
violations of regulatory requirements, will have to present evidence to
convince the Commission that they should not receive a mandatory order. We
will also hear from the applicant CPAM for a new licence for a radio
station in Montreal.
World/Télémonde
Finally, we will hear an application for a new specialty television
service from World/Télémonde. This group proposes to offer services in
both English and French on two separate channels. WTM is proposing a
national specialty service dedicated to providing news, public affairs,
film and entertainment programming from around the world, some of which
will sub-titled and thus be accessible to the mainstream audience.
Hearing process
In order for the Commission to have the clearest and most comprehensive
exchange of information, the Commission believes it necessary to gather
specific information concerning each and every applicant.
We expect this hearing will last approximately 3 days – until June 21st,
2001. We will begin every morning at 9:00 a.m., and will continue until
about 5:00 p.m. We will advise you of any changes in the schedule that may
occur.
As a final note, I would just remind all those who are present to
please turn off your cell phones and pagers when you are in the hearing
room, as they tend to distract the applicants, interveners and
Commissioners. We would appreciate your co-operation in this regard
throughout the hearing.
I will now call on the Hearing Secretary to explain the process we will
be following. Mr. Burnside…
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Contact: Denis Carmel, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N2
Tel.: (819) 997-9403, TDD: (819) 994-0423, Fax: (819) 997-4245
e-Mail: denis.carmel@crtc.gc.ca
Toll-free # 1-877-249-CRTC (2782)
TDD - Toll-free # 1-877-909-2782
This document is available in alternative format upon request.
Date Modified: 2001-06-19
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