Cabin, Vista FM licence hearing concludes in Yellowknife

Vista Radio and Cabin Radio made their final pleas to Canada’s broadcasting regulator on Wednesday for a new commercial FM licence in Yellowknife.

The second and last day of a public hearing – overseen by a three-person panel from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, or CRTC – took place at the city’s Explorer Hotel.

Both Cabin Radio and Vista Radio, which operates 100.1 True North FM, have applied to operate a new commercial FM radio station in Yellowknife.

On Wednesday, six intervenors spoke in favour of Cabin Radio’s application and one spoke in support of Vista Radio’s application.

Yellowknife resident Shawne Kokelj, city councillor Tom McLennan and former city manager Sheila Bassi-Kellett spoke about the value they place in Cabin Radio’s journalism. They said having the station on FM radio would allow that news to reach a broader audience.

“Cabin Radio is the primary and most trusted source for local news and information in Yellowknife,” McLennan said. “This specific focus on local news and events in Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories is what sets Cabin Radio apart and what is currently missing on the FM dial.”

Kaila Jefferd-Moore, a Haida woman, journalist and project director at the Northern Journalism Training Initiative, spoke about the organization’s interest in “a growing journalism ecosystem in the North” and spending advertising dollars on locally owned and operated organizations.

Gerri Sharpe, an Inuk resident of Yellowknife, said Cabin Radio is aware of the cultural diversity of the NWT and takes efforts to be culturally safe and relevant.

“This is a step towards reconciliation,” she said.

Yellowknife musician Carmen Braden said allowing Cabin Radio on FM radio would give audiences more opportunities to hear local music and information about local shows.

Jeff Kincaid, business development manager for the Yellowknife Co-op, spoke in support of Vista Radio. He highlighted True North FM’s 25-year partnership with the Co-op on its annual “stuff the bus” food drive initiative.

“They’ve helped us rally the community, spread awareness and turn a simple event into something that truly impacts the lives of those facing food security,” he said, adding the initiative has raised thousands of pounds of food for people in need.

Kincaid said granting Vista Radio a second FM licence would benefit the community by allowing additional voices on air.

During the first day of the hearing on Tuesday, representatives of Cabin Radio said having an FM licence would allow the company to increase its spoken word and current affairs broadcast content.

They argued the currently web-based station is already part of the market and allowing it to broadcast on the airwaves would not endanger Yellowknife’s existing commercial radio station.

Representatives of Vista Radio, which operates 100.1 True North FM, argued the city cannot sustain a second commercial FM radio station and granting Cabin Radio a licence would “have a massive impact” on their existing station.

They said if the CRTC does decide it’s in the public interest to grant another FM licence in Yellowknife, “the most beneficial and responsible approach” would be to grant that licence to Vista Radio. In that case, the company said it plans to operate an adult contemporary station to expand its offerings in the city.

Final words

During closing remarks on Wednesday, Joe Gabor, vice-president of business at Vista Radio, said the company has “a long and meaningful history” in Yellowknife.

“What keeps us all going is that we have a passion for local radio and the communities that we live and work in,” he said. “We’re not perfect, but we are always looking to learn and get better.”

Gabor said Vista is committed to developing local talent; verifiable, responsible and factual local news; and supporting local artists.

In his final comments, Ollie Williams, one of the owners of Cabin Radio, said the Yellowknife market is already supporting both Vista and Cabin Radio. He committed to delivering “the maximum standard” on the FM dial.

“We are here with the support we have and the revenue we have because we keep exceeding expectations,” he said.

“We hope to make the commission proud as a licensed operator for many years to come.”

The CRTC said this week’s hearing will form part of the public record it will rely on to decide whether to grant a new commercial FM licence to either one of, both or neither Cabin Radio or Vista Radio.

The timeline for that decision is currently unclear.