The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission today announced that it has received 12 applications to operate radio stations serving urban Indigenous Canadians in major markets.
Specifically, the CRTC has received two applications for stations in Vancouver, three for Calgary, three for Edmonton, two for Toronto and two for Ottawa. Five organizations have submitted applications: the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society of Alberta, Watwatay Native Communications Society, Northern Native Broadcasting, VMS Media Group Ltd. and First Peoples Radio Inc.
Frequencies became available in these markets after the CRTC revoked, in June 2024, Aboriginal Voices Radio's licences for its radio stations. The CRTC took this decision due to numerous, serious and repeated instances of non-compliance with the regulations and the broadcaster's conditions of licence. Aboriginal Voices Radio subsequently filed an application with the Federal Court of Appeal. The Court stayed the CRTC's revocation and ordered that Aboriginal Voices Radio's licences remain in effect until the appeal is determined.
The CRTC has stated that it will announce a public process to consider these applications at a later date, if appropriate.