Opening remarks at the public hearing to consider renewing the broadcasting licences of four radio stations

Gatineau, Quebec
November 6, 2019

Ian Scott, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

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Good morning and welcome to the second day of this public hearing. Before we start, I want to acknowledge that we are gathered here on traditional First Nations territory. I would like to thank the Algonquin people and pay respect to their Elders.

Today, we will be examining the licence renewal applications of four radio stations in British Columbia and an ownership transaction regarding two of these stations.

The licensees have been called here today because each of these services appears to be in non-compliance with its regulatory obligations. The Commission is also concerned with the local programming offered by the stations.  

In addition to addressing the apparent non-compliance, the licensees will have to demonstrate at this hearing why their licences should be renewed and not suspended, revoked or renewed for a shorter term with or without the imposition of mandatory orders. Each instance of apparent non-compliance will be evaluated on the facts of each case.

Applications

First, the panel will consider the application to renew the licence of CFPV-FM Pemberton. The station appears to be in non-compliance with its regulatory obligations relating to the filing of complete and accurate radio monitoring materials, Canadian content development contributions, and broadcasting on-air announcements regarding its non-compliance.  If found in non-compliance, this would be the third consecutive licence term in which the station would be in non-compliance.

The panel will then continue with the application to renew the licence of CKPM-FM Port Moody. The Commission was informed that the station was taken off-air on June 27, 2019. According to our records, it appears the station is in non-compliance with its regulatory obligations relating to: Canadian music selections and specialty music selections, the filing of complete and accurate radio monitoring materials and Canadian content development contributions. If found in non-compliance, this would be the second consecutive licence term in which the station would be in non-compliance.

The panel will then consider the application to renew the licence of CIMM-FM Ucluelet. The station appears to be in non-compliance with its obligations relating to the filing of complete and accurate radio monitoring materials. As well, it appears that it did not devote the time required for Indigenous programming and did not broadcast on-air announcements regarding its non-compliance. If found in non-compliance, this would be the third consecutive licence term in which the station would be in non-compliance.

Next, we will examine the application to renew the licence of CHMZ-FM Tofino. It appears that the station is in non-compliance with its obligations relating to Canadian musical selections, the filing of complete and accurate radio monitoring materials, and broadcasting on-air announcements regarding its non-compliance.  If found in non-compliance this would be the third consecutive licence term in which the station would be in non-compliance.

Finally, the panel will study an application to change the ownership and effective control of CIMM-FM and CHMZ-FM. We will seek to determine if the transaction is in the public interest. In this regard, we will consider, among other things, the applicant's commitments to programming and the benefits that such programming would bring to the communities concerned. We will also consider the financial contributions in tangible benefits that would be generated for the broadcasting system.

The Commission reminds the licensees who have been called here today that having a broadcasting licence is a privilege that comes with certain responsibilities and obligations. This hearing will help assess their compliance and commitment to adhere to their obligations as well as whether the licensees should continue to benefit from this privilege. 

The panel and the licensees will also discuss, in the event that the licenses are renewed, whether measures should be imposed to ensure future compliance.

PROCEDURE

Before we start, let me make a few introductions.

The hearing panel consists of:

• Joanne Levy, Regional Commissioner for Manitoba and Saskatchewan;
• Alicia Barin, Commissioner for Québec;
• and myself, Ian Scott, Chair of the CRTC. I will be presiding over this hearing.

The Commission team assisting us includes:

• Marie-Lyse Lavallée, Hearing Manager
• Joshua Dougherty and Ricardo Wicker, Legal Counsel, and
• Lynda Roy, Hearing Secretary.

I would now invite our Legal Counsel to further explain these possible outcomes and their implications, as well as what is expected of the licensees at this hearing.