CFOR-FM

On July 8, Radio CKML Inc. received approval for new AM stations at Maniwaki, St-Jovite and L’Annunciation. Radio CKML Inc. owned CKML-AM at Mont Laurier.

Radio CKML Inc. launched CKMG on 1340 kHz with 1,000 watts day and 250 watts night.

On January 23, Radio CKML Inc. was given approval to transfer shares as follows: 27.2% from A. Michaudville to P.E. Lesage; 3.2% from l’Avante Garde Laurentienne Inc. to J.L.O. Picard; 0.8% from L. Cyr to A. Michaudville.

CKMG was affiliated with the Telemedia network.

On September 9, Denis Aube on behalf of a company to be incorporated was given approval to acquire CKMG from Radio CKML Inc. . Aube proposed 85 hours of local and 40 hours of CBC programs, weekly. 

On February 16, the CRTC renewed CKMG’s licence until September 30, 1989. The Department of Communications advised the Commission that it was prepared to renew the technical construction and operating certificate only for a period of one year, expiring September 30, 1985. Accordingly, approval of the renewal granted herein beyond that date, to September 30, 1989, was subject to further technical certification by the DOC. 

CKMG was granted a night-time power increase, from 250 to 1,000 watts.

Denis Aubé sold his 50% interest in Radio CKMG Inc. to Michel Riel, giving Riel 100%.

On January 18, the conversion of CKMG to the FM band was approved by the CRTC. The new station would operate on a frequency of 99.3 MHz with an effective radiated power of 2,400 watts. On FM, CKMG committed to 18 hours of news per week, more than half of it to come from the Telemedia network.

CKMG 1340 was replaced by CKMG-FM later in the year.

CKMG-FM was sold by Radio CKMG inc. to 3098-9289 Québec inc. 

 CKMG-FM became CFOR-FM. 

On April 16, the CRTC denied an application by 9116-1299 Québec inc. to amend the broadcasting licence for the radio station CFOR-FM by adding a low-power FM transmitter in Mont-Laurier. The transmitter would have operated on 98.3 MHz (channel 252LP) with an effective radiated power of 50 watts (non-directional antenna with an effective height of the antenna above average terrain of 32.9 metres). The applicant stated that the installation of the transmitter in Mont-Laurier would allow it to serve the local community and broadcast the programming of CFOR-FM in Mont-Laurier. The applicant also indicated that its application was consistent with the Commission’s policy relating to the diversity of editorial, musical, cultural, local and regional voices, and that the addition of a transmitter in Mont-Laurier to broadcast the programming of CFOR-FM would meet the expectations of the local population and business owners. After examining the application in light of the applicable regulations and policies, and taking into account the intervention received and the applicant’s reply, the Commission considered that the only issue to be addressed in its determinations was the licensee’s apparent non-compliance with its regulatory requirements. Specifically, the Commission’s analysis revealed that the licensee may have failed to comply with subsection 9(2) of the Radio Regulations, 1986 pertaining to the requirement to file annual reports for the 2009 broadcast year. The Commission submitted a letter to the licensee, dated 22 January 2010, requesting that it fulfill the requirement and provide the required information. The Commission notes that the licensee submitted the missing report on 17 February 2010, but that it did not provide an explanation as to its apparent failure to comply. It was the Commission’s longstanding practice to deny licence amendments requested by licensees that are in non compliance with their regulatory requirements. Given CFOR-FM’s non-compliance with subsection 9(2) of the Regulations, the Commission did not consider that a departure from this practice was warranted in this case.

On July 10, the CRTC renewed the licence for CFOR-FM to 31 August 2020. This short-term licence renewal would allow for an earlier review of the licensee’s compliance with regulatory requirements. In addition, the Commission issued a mandatory order requiring 9116-1299 Québec inc. to ensure that CFOR-FM complied with its condition of licence. Given the recurring nature of the non-compliance over multiple licence terms and the licensee’s apparent lack of cooperation, the Commission was concerned with the licensee’s ability and commitment to operate the station in a compliant manner. Should the licensee again breach regulatory requirements, including the mandatory order, the Commission would consider the suspension, non-renewal or revocation of the broadcasting licence under sections 9 and 24 of the Act.

On July 31, the CRTC denied the application to renew the licence of CFOR-FM. The commission stated: “In light of the severity and recurrence of the current instances of non-compliance; of the station’s history of non-compliance and the licensee’s actions, which demonstrate its poor understanding of its conditions of licence and regulatory obligations, or its lack of willingness to respect them; of its inability to implement the necessary measures to ensure compliance; and of its disregard for the Commission’s authority and for its responsibilities as a broadcaster, the Commission is not convinced that the imposition of conditions of licence or mandatory orders, a suspension or a short-term renewal would be effective measures. Consequently, the Commission finds that not renewing the licence is the only appropriate measure in the circumstances.” The station was ordered to cease broadcasting by August 31 and the commission invited interested parties to apply for a broadcast licence in the market.