The Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications (CRTC) regulates and supervises braodcasting and telecommunications in Canada. To find out more about the CRTC, visit their page About the CRTC.
Single Point of Contact for Small Undertakings: 1-866-781-1911
The CRTC provides a toll-free number to answer your questions on just about anything related to your licence and CRTC regulations.
Other Contacts:
• Who’s who at the CRTC
• Key telephone numbers, address, and office locations
• Commissioners and Secretary General
The following policies, regulations, and documents apply to campus and community radio stations.
Key Policies and Regulations
- Campus and Community Radio Policy (Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-499): This is the primary policy for all campus and community radio stations. It explains the relevant programming, advertising, and governance regulations as well as other considerations in the areas of applications, technical matters, funding, and volunteers. It replaces the Campus Radio Policy (Public Notice CRTC 2000-12) and the Community Radio Policy (Public Notice CRTC 2000-13).
- Statutes and Regulations, including links to the Broadcasting Act, Radio Regulations, and the CRTC Rules of Practice and Procedure
Content-related Policies
- Revised content categories and subcategories for radio (Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2010-819): For the CRTC, all programming falls into specific categories, which stations report on. This policy defines those categories and subcategories. It does not discuss specific requirements such as percentages or hours-per-week, as those are outlined in the Campus and Community Radio Policy.
- The MAPL system – defining a Canadian song: This is an information sheet that defines the components used to determine whether a song is Canadian or not — Music, Artist, Performance, and Lyrics.
- Policy regarding the broadcast of hits by English-language FM radio stations (Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2009-61): Campus and community stations are limited when it comes to the amount of “Top 40 hits” played. This policy defines what the CRTC considers a hit.
- Broadcast advertising basics: revenue, limits and content: This information sheet outlines time limits and standards around advertising to children as well as ads promoting alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and 900 numbers.
- Policy regarding open-line programming (Public Notice CRTC 1998-213): While there are not any specific requirements with respect to open-line programming (which includes any kind of call-in show), this policy highlights the need for broadcasters to understand and respect the sections pertaining to abusive comment, balance, and high standard contained in the Broadcasting Act and Radio Regulations.
- Balance in Programming in Community Access Media (Public Notice 1988-161): This outlines the CRTC’s approach and interpretations of programming balance stipulated in the Broadcasting Act.
- Equitable Portrayal Code (Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2008-23) (formerly “Sex-Role Portrayal — Industry Guidelines”): This contains standards for the the equitable portrayal of identified groups, such as ethnocultural communities, Aboriginal peoples, and people with disabilities.
- Ethnic Broadcasting Policy and related documents: While focused on services licenced specifically as ethnic stations, it contains some sections pertaining to our sector (see paragraphs 50-56 in the Ethnic Broadcasting Policy.
- Religious Broadcasting Policy – Related Documents: Any station that airs any religious programming, even if it is one program per week, must adhere to relevant aspects of this policy. Section 4 contains ethical guidelines and programming practices.
Other Policies and Documents
- Implementation of an Employment Equity Policy (Public Notice CRTC 1992-59): The CRTC does not administer or impose a specific employment policy, but it often encourages licencees to consider employment equity issues in hiring and human resource management practices.
- Looking to apply for a new campus or community radio licence? You’ll need to submit a completed Application to obtain a broadcasting licence to operate a campus or community radio undertaking (including low-power) – Form 114 (2013).
Selected CRTC studies
- Campus and Community Radio Sector Informal Stakeholder Meetings — Summary Report (June 2009)
- International Approaches to Funding Community & Campus Radio (March 2009)
- Turntablism and Audio Art Study (May 2009)
- Music availability study for campus radio (January 1999)