CRTC initiates special process for official language minorities input for English content on French radio

The CRTC has initiated a special consultation process regarding an application for amendments to the conditions of service for a French-language community radio station based in Edmonton, Alta., and wants to hear specifically from official language minority communities (OLMCs), according to a Thursday letter. The application, filed by the Société Radio Communautaire du Grand Edmonton Society, which operates under the name Radio Cité, aims to modify CFED-FM’s conditions to permit the broadcast of English-language programming produced by a third party. The move is intended to alleviate financial strains on the station which is facing imminent closure due to financial difficulties. In its Part 1 application, submitted last year, Radio Cité highlighted a deficit stretching back to its founding in 2018, exacerbated by the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The station's board of directors has explored cost-saving measures and revenue-enhancing strategies but has faced limited success in securing crucial financial support. “If the station fails to sell advertising and coordinate regular fundraising efforts, it will not survive. While Radio Cité relies on public funds, it must also be able to count on advertising revenue,” it told the CRTC. The station is proposing to lease airtime to another station for three hours per day of English-language broadcasting. The application's scrutiny extends beyond financial considerations, with regulatory implications regarding language programming and community representation. While the proposal seeks to maintain CFED-FM's French-language identity, the inclusion of English-language content raises concerns about its impact on OLMCs, the CRTC noted in its letter. In response, the regulator has introduced a modified intervention process to specifically address concerns raised by OLMC members. The procedure outlined includes two intervention periods: the first, open to all interested parties, allowing interventions within 30 days of the application's publication; the second, exclusively for OLMC members, spanning 20 days following the initial intervention period. The applicant will have ten days following the second intervention period to submit a reply. “For the purposes of the second intervention period, the commission will pay particular attention to the official languages issues raised by this application, and will consider positive measures to mitigate any possible direct negative impacts on OLMCs,” the CRTC wrote in its letter. The commission notes that this process is unique to this Part 1 application and does not constitute a blanket amendment to its Rules of Procedure. It affirms its commitment to considering further amendments to address concerns raised by OLMCs. Stakeholders and interested parties are encouraged to participate in the consultation process, with deadlines for interventions and replies set for February and March 2024, respectively. Several groups sent letters of support for the station’s proposal which Radio Cité included in its application. Pierre G. Asselin, president of Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta (ACFA), wrote a letter of support on behalf of his organization, noting that a 100 per cent francophone community radio station is the desire, however, urgent action is needed to ensure. Conseil de développement économique de l’Alberta noted to the CRTC in its own letter of support that grants for community radio stations are dwindling, and Regroupement artistique francophone de l’Alberta assured the commission that Radio Cité has always been committed to promoting artists of French expression in Edmonton, its surroundings, and Alberta. “We note in this plan that this community engagement would not be adversely affected. On the contrary, preserving the radio through this initiative may strengthen programming in its entirety,” general manager Sylvie Thériault wrote in a French-language letter on behalf of the organization. – Reporting by Jenna Cocullo at jcocullo@thewirereport.ca and editing by Paul Park at ppark@thewirereport.ca

CRTC initiates special process for official language minorities input for English content on French radio

News | January 25, 2024

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

CRTC initiates special process for official language minorities input for English content on French radio

News | January 25, 2024

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Related Stories

Freedom Mobile no longer pursuing full MVNO status

Federal arbitrator releases paid time political broadcast schedule

TV broadcasters denounce streamers’ appeals of CRTC’s broadcasting contribution decision

CRTC considering expanded mandate for Broadcasting Participation Fund

Reuse & Permissions

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us