Good afternoon Madam Speaker. As everyone is aware, Cabin Radio has been a staple of the northern media scene for the last five years. Launching in 2017 with an online format, Cabin made an application in August 2019 for their FM license to begin broadcasting over the airwaves. On Wednesday, 42 months after submission, the Canadian Radio, Television and Telecommunications Commission, or the CRTC, informed Cabin Radio that Yellowknife’s economy could not sustain a new commercial FM radio station therefore ending Cabin Radio’s bid for FM status.
One of the most shocking things about this decision was that the CRTC never even opened Cabin Radio’s application. Instead, the commission chose to assess whether Yellowknife was big enough – and economically healthy enough – for Cabin Radio to join the lone existing commercial license holder True North FM. Citing in part a submission from Vista Radio, the corporation that owns True North and several dozen other Canadian stations, the CRTC said "the market of Yellowknife cannot support an additional radio station." The CRTC also said it was unlikely to accept new applications for another two years. They also stated that Vista Radio had formally opposed Cabin Radio’s license on economic grounds, citing that "the introduction of a new radio station deriving advertising in the market at this time will impact the incumbent stations' viability to provide local programming." Ironic given that at the same time, Vista has told the CRTC that they would like a second FM license in Yellowknife.
Summarizing the concerns of Vista Radio and CKLB, who was also in opposition, the CRTC said that "the introduction of a new radio station at this time will impact the incumbent stations' viability to provide local programming." However, Madam Speaker, Cabin Radio has already existed for five years and is already primarily financed by advertising revenue. Therefore, it would appear that this impact would have already been felt by the two established stations. Additionally, in an unusual move, two of the CRTC's panel commissioners filed dissenting opinions on the denial, showing that within its own organization there was confusion as to this ruling. Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, I will just take some of the absent of their time. Madam Speaker, Cabin Radio has filled a void in Yellowknife’s media scene and played a pivotal role in the dissemination of information during the pandemic with their COVID Corner. It is mindboggling to me that someone in Ottawa thinks that a multimillion- dollar southern entity, such as Vista Radio, should be protected from the competition of five local Yellowknifers, who vastly give back to our community in a variety of ways. This flies in the face of everything we talk about when we speak of supporting northern businesses in this House, and the only explanation that makes sense to me is who is Vista Radio’s friend at the CRTC, as this reeks of cronyism to me. I will have questions for the Premier at the appropriate time. Thank you.
Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.
