Government upholds Toronto CBC-FM licence decision and will ask the CRTC to reserve next available frequency
OTTAWA, October 23, 1997 -- Transport Minister David Collenette, senior minister for the Greater Toronto area, today announced the Government has upheld Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) decision 97-362, allowing the CBC to move CBL, its English-language radio station in Toronto, from 740 on the AM band to FM 99.1."The CBC has a special place in the Canadian broadcasting system because it provides a meeting place for all Canadians to share their ideas and experiences. The move to the FM band will allow hundreds of thousands of people to clearly hear the national public broadcaster," said Minister Collenette.
The Minister also announced that the Government will request the CRTC, under Section 26 of the Broadcasting Act, to reserve another frequency on the FM band for Toronto. Any allocation of a licence to utilize this frequency, or any other frequency, is the legal responsibility of the CRTC, which operates at arm's length from the Government.
The CRTC's July 29, 1997 decision had been appealed by four petitioners under Section 28 of the Broadcasting Act. Upon review, the Government determined that the decision did not derogate from the objectives set out in the Act, which is the sole criterion for setting aside or referring back a CRTC licensing decision.
The Act stipulates that CBC programming must "be available throughout Canada by the most appropriate and efficient means and as resources become available for the purpose." As a result of interference from high-rise buildings and electrical sources, many people in Toronto and surrounding area have had difficulty receiving the CBC-AM signal.
"We have heard the obviously strong support for some of the competitors for the FM frequency with their demands for increased diversity on the FM band and we have heard the CRTC as well. We have faith the public process for awarding these licences will work," Mr. Collenette said.
Information:
Cate McCready
Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
Stéphane Corbin
Communications
Office of the Minister of Transport
(613) 991-0700
[ Media Room ]
