OTTAWA – The CRTC has kicked off a call for new radio licences to serve the urban Aboriginal communities in Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, despite the fact that Aboriginal Voices Radio (AVR) is appealing the decision to revoke the licences that it holds in those markets.
The Commission said Wednesday that it is "seeking innovative applications that focus on serving Aboriginal Canadians, regardless of the type of service proposed”, though also noted that in making this call “the Commission has not reached any conclusion regarding the licensing of any service at this time.”
The Federal Court of Appeal last week granted AVR’s leave to appeal a CRTC decision in June that revoked AVR’s licences in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa. The Court also stayed this decision and ordered that AVR’s broadcasting licences for these five radio stations remain in effect subject to the same terms and conditions until final determination of the appeal, as Cartt.ca reported earlier this month.
“Issuing the call at this time will provide potential applicants with early guidance in developing these innovative proposals and will ensure that if the appeal is denied, the issue of service to the urban Aboriginal communities in these markets can be considered without delay”, continues Wednesday's CRTC notice.
Applicants must provide evidence giving clear indication that there is a demand and a market for the proposed service, including demonstrating the needs of the Aboriginal communities in the market(s) in question, how the proposed service(s) will meet them and whether, if there are currently services addressing Aboriginal communities, the market(s) can sustain the proposed additional service(s).
Applications are due by January 12, 2016 and must include all necessary technical documentation to the Department of Industry by the same date.
