By Stephen Weir

The Canadian Radio and Television Commission made a decision on Tuesday that allows for a religious broadcasting company to create a radio station specializing in religious music in British Columbia with a transmitter in Saskatoon and  here in North Toronto.

“The Commission approves an application by United Christian Broadcasters Media Canada to operate three English-language specialty (religious music) FM radio stations in Kelowna, British Columbia, and its rebroadcasting transmitter in Kamloops, British Columbia; in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and in Scarborough, Ontario” read yesterday’s decision. “The Commission also approved an application filed by International Harvesters for a broadcasting license to operate an English-language specialty (religious music) FM radio station in Scarborough, Ontario.

The decision might sound familiar.  As the Caribbean Camera reported last summer pandemic, the CRTC issued licenses to three the International Harvesters broadcasting company. The company never acted upon those licenses when its president and CEO Dr. J. Lutes, passed away shortly after getting the commission’s go ahead to start their new stations. United Christian Broadcasters Media is apparently in the process of acquiring Harvester’s Toronto assets.

The new station in Scarborough will be heard at 105.3 on the FM dial. It will be a low powered signal (89 watts) meaning it will have a very limited listening audience range.  The station will play Canadian religious music as well provide local programming, local, regional and international news.

Scarborough shouldn’t hold its breath waiting for the new radio service.  United Christian Broadcasters Media has until 2029 to activate its licence.