OTTAWA – The cities of Vernon, BC, Grande Prairie, AB and Toronto’s Scarborough region may soon have new radio stations after the CRTC issued separate calls for comments on the market capacity and on the appropriateness of calling for radio applications in the three markets.
The Commission said Wednesday that it issued the calls after receiving applications for new radio stations in those markets as follows:
– an application by Vernon Community Radio Society for a community radio station to serve greater Vernon;
– an application by Vista Radio for a new commercial radio station to serve Grande Prairie; and
– an application by International Harvesters for Christ Evangelistic Association for a Christian music radio station to serve Scarborough.
Interventions are due by March 1 and the deadline to file replies is March 18, 2019. Following receipt of comments, the CRTC said that it will conduct an assessment of the capacity of each markets to support additional stations, taking into account economic and financial data as well as the comments received in the public consultations.
All persons interested in serving these radio markets should express their interest during the intervention period, continued the Commission. Should little or no interest be expressed, the CRTC said that it may publish the application for consideration during the non-appearing phase of a public hearing rather than issue a call for applications.
