1 of 1- RadioActive
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When Does A Licenced Radio Station No Longer Need A License?
As we all know, the CRTC decides who gets a license to see who can use the public airwaves and start a radio station. So what happens when that station no longer uses those public airwaves? Do they still fall under the CRTC's jurisdiction?
I thought of this in relation to CJYE and CJMR, both Whiteoaks stations that recently went online only, giving up their frequencies at 1250 and 1320 AM. True, they're coming back to HD Radio, but do they need a licence for that? And were they still under CRTC obligations when they were online only? Would the CanCon rules apply if they're not actually on the air?
This is such a relatively new area, I'm not sure what the law is. I don't think you're going to hear anything untoward on either station, but could they use profanity if they wanted to, prior to being piggybacked on CKLH? I admit total ignorance on this. What rules, if any, does a former licenced radio station that goes Internet only have to follow?
- RadioAaron
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Re: When Does A Licenced Radio Station No Longer Need A License?
No license needed for internet or HD sub-channels.
- RadioActive
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Re: When Does A Licenced Radio Station No Longer Need A License?
But do they get to keep and use their call letters? Or do they get returned for use elsewhere?
I noticed neither CJYE or CJMR are back on the list of available call signs in Canada. Technically, if they're not actually on air, should they still be using them?
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Thread Starter- RadioAaron
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Re: When Does A Licenced Radio Station No Longer Need A License?
RadioActive wrote:
But do they get to keep and use their call letters? Or do they get returned for use elsewhere?
I noticed neither CJYE or CJMR are back on the list of available call signs in Canada. Technically, if they're not actually on air, should they still be using them?
They would no longer have the call letters, and they'll be made available at some point. Nothing really stopping them from using them as branding though.
- Ida Spencer
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Re: When Does A Licenced Radio Station No Longer Need A License?
But do they get to keep and use their call letters? Or do they get returned for use elsewhere?
I noticed neither CJYE or CJMR are back on the list of available call signs in Canada. Technically, if they're not actually on air, should they still be using them?They would no longer have the call letters, and they'll be made available at some point. Nothing really stopping them from using them as branding though.
Technically, while the stations are dormant, the licences are still active -- for a few more weeks anyway. The CRTC sent Whiteoaks this letter back on February 3rd:
Subject: CJYE Oakville, Ontario and CJMR Mississauga, Ontario — Receipt of off-air notice
The Commission has received notice that the English radio programming undertaking CJYE Oakville and the Ethnic radio programming undertaking CJMR Mississauga, both operated by Trafalgar Broadcasting Limited, have ceased broadcasting as of 13 January 2026.
Pursuant to Modernization of radio processes, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2025-265, paragraphs 161 to 171, Trafalgar Broadcasting Limited will have until 13 July 2026— 6 months from the off-air date (13 January 2026)— to either: 1) submit applications for a change in ownership and effective control of CJYE and CJMR; 2) apply for the revocation of CJYE’s and CJMR’s licence; or 3) return on-air.
[size=100]Should this process not be followed, the Commission will launch a public proceeding, consistent with paragraphs 9(1)(f) and 18(1)(b) and subsection 24(1) of the Broadcasting Act, to revoke the licences for these undertakings.[/size]
So it appears the calls won't go back on ISED's available list until the licences & technical permits are revoked/cancelled.
Last edited by Ida Spencer (June 2, 2026 9:42 am)
- Ida Spencer
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Re: When Does A Licenced Radio Station No Longer Need A License?
It looks like they've submitted an application to go back on the air, according to this CRTC letter dropping the July 13th deadline.
On 6 June 2026, Commission staff received from Trafalgar Broadcasting Limited (Trafalgar) an application 2026-0300-3 regarding the English language commercial radio programming undertaking CJYE Oakville and the Ethnic radio programming undertaking CJMR Mississauga, both of which ceased broadcasting on 13 January 2026.
This application presents a plan to resume broadcasting on both AM stations.
In light of the application filed and Trafalgar’s apparent willingness to continue the stations’ operations, staff is suspending the July 13, 2026 deadline until further notice.
It'll probably go the CHIN route, with a lower-power single-stick, since the land's already slated for development. (Note the boarded-up transmitter building in the second shot. This was taken after the 1250/1320 transmitters were re-sited at CKTB.):
Last edited by Ida Spencer (July 9, 2026 2:17 pm)
- RadioActive
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Re: When Does A Licenced Radio Station No Longer Need A License?
Wow, somebody coming back to AM!
Go tell Rogers about this...
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Thread Starter- Scarboroughbluffsradiof99
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Re: When Does A Licenced Radio Station No Longer Need A License?
I thoght they would just go hd only.
What happens to all of CJMR's programming it lost to other stations?