A non-profit society that wants to set up a low-wattage, community radio station on Gabriola Island is worried opposition from Rogers Communications will stop its application for a broadcast licence.
The Gabriola Radio Society has been working since 2001 to create a radio station that its says would feature local performers and help the fire department broadcast evacuation orders in the event of an emergency.
A Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission hearing on the society’s broadcast licence is scheduled for March 30.
Rogers is opposing the application, saying the Gabriola Radio Society’s frequency choice of 97.8 FM will interfere with plans to improve the signal quality of light-rock Victoria station CIOC The Ocean at 98.5 FM in areas surrounding Victoria.
Although the two radio transmitters would be 100 kilometres apart, mountain ranges and the two frequencies being so close together would interfere with Rogers’ planned upgrade, the company said.
“Because of the terrain and the way the frequency works, (it’s) problematic,” said Susan Wheeler, Rogers’ vice-president of regulatory affairs.
Industry Canada, which has the authority to grant radio frequencies, has already upheld an objection by Rogers to the Gabriola Radio Society using 97.8 FM. That means the CRTC will likely either reject the society’s application for a broadcast licence or issue them a licence with the condition they find another frequency.
Hiring an engineer to find another open frequency will cost the society money it doesn’t have, said president Ken Zakreski.
“We spent the money we have on an engineer to find this channel and we can’t do that again,” he said.
Zakreski also doesn’t think there are anymore clear signals available for them to use.
He said that Gabriola Island already receives enough commercial radio programs, but is lacking a community-based station. He believes that a local Gabriola station would provide the diversity the CRTC is encouraging within Canadian broadcasting.
“We feel because there is a preponderance of commercial (programs) . . . we stand a good chance of convincing the commission their (Rogers’) application isn’t in the public’s interest.”
