Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2018-218

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Reference: Part 1 licence renewal application posted on 23 February 2018

Ottawa, 28 June 2018

Wasauksing Communications Group
Wasauksing First Nation, Ontario

Public record for this application: 2017-0738-2

CHRZ-FM Wasauksing First Nation – Licence renewal

The Commission renews the broadcasting licence for the English- and Ojibwa-language Indigenous (Type B Native) FM radio station CHRZ-FM Wasauksing First Nation from 1 September 2018 to 31 August 2025.

Application

1. Wasauksing Communications Group (Wasauksing) filed an application to renew the broadcasting licence for the English- and Ojibwa-language Indigenous (Type B Native) FM radio station CHRZ-FM Wasauksing First Nation, Ontario, which expires 31 August 2018. The Commission received a supporting intervention by the National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA).

Non-compliance

2. Section 16(3) of the Radio Regulations, 1986 (the Regulations) requires all licensees of campus, community and native stations to implement a public alerting system by 31 March 2016.
3. According to Commission records, the licensee has yet to implement such a system.
4. Wasauksing stated that it had hoped for an exemption from this requirement based on the station’s size and the impact on the station. However, it confirmed that it had submitted a request for price and delivery of the National Public Alerting System (NPAS) hardware.
5. In its intervention, the NCRA stated that it had been in contact with CHRZ-FM and had provided information about the NPAS requirements, as well as resources and support in other areas.
6. In light of the above, the Commission finds the licensee in non-compliance with section 16(3) of the Regulations. Further, the Commission has set out a condition of licence in the appendix to this decision requiring the licensee to implement a public alerting system as soon as possible and by no later than 31 October 2018 and provide proof of implementation with its annual return by 30 November 2018.

Regulatory measures

7. The Commission’s approach to non-compliance by radio stations is set out in Update on the Commission’s approach to non-compliance by radio stations, Broadcasting Information Bulletin CRTC 2014-608, 21 November 2014 (Broadcasting Information Bulletin 2014-608). Under that approach, each instance of non-compliance is evaluated in its context and in light of factors such as the quantity, recurrence and seriousness of the non-compliance. The circumstances leading to the non-compliance, the arguments provided by the licensee and the actions taken to rectify the situation are also considered.
8. In this case, the Commission notes that CHRZ-FM is a small Indigenous station in its first licence term and that this is its first and only instance of non-compliance. In light of these circumstances, the Commission considers it appropriate to grant the station a full licence term.

Conclusion

9. In light of all the above, the Commission renews the broadcasting licence for the English- and Ojibwa-language Indigenous (Type B Native) FM radio programming undertaking CHRZ-FM Wasauksing First Nation from 1 September 2018 to 31 August 2025. The terms and conditions of licence are set out in the appendix to this decision.

Reminders

10. The full participation of the broadcasting industry is important for the NPAS to be effective in safeguarding and warning Canadians. As such, the Commission considers that timely compliance must be enforced, and station compliance will be closely monitored. The Commission could choose to apply other regulatory measures, such as those set out in Broadcasting Information Bulletin 2014-608, should the requirements with respect to the NPAS not be fulfilled.
11. Pursuant to section 22 of the Broadcasting Act, the broadcasting licence renewed in this decision will cease to have any force or effect should the broadcasting certificate issued by the Department of Industry lapse.

Secretary General

This decision is to be appended to the licence.

Appendix to Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2018-218

Terms and conditions of licence for the English- and Ojibwa-language Indigenous (Type B Native) FM radio programming undertaking CHRZ-FM Wasauksing First Nation, Ontario

Terms

The licence will expire 31 August 2025.

Conditions of licence

1. In each broadcast week, the licensee shall devote at least 35% of its musical selections from content category 2 (Popular Music) to Canadian musical selections broadcast in their entirety.

   
   For the purposes of this condition of licence, the terms “broadcast week,” “Canadian selection,” “content category” and “musical selection” shall have the same meanings as set out in the Radio Regulations, 1986.

2. The licensee shall adhere to the Equitable Portrayal Code, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
3. The licensee shall adhere to the Broadcast Code for Advertising to Children, as amended from time to time and approved by the Commission.
4. The licensee shall implement a public alerting system as soon as possible by no later than 31 October 2018 and provide proof of implementation with its annual return by 30 November 2018.

Date modified:

2018-06-28