Could Burlington get its own radio station? There is a group in town trying to do just that.

By Staff

February 12, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

A constant irritant for most Burlingtonians is being included in with the city of Hamilton when things are being counted.

That much touted “Best Mid-sized city in Canada award became possible when former Mayor Cam Jackson went after the publishers of MoneySense magazine and explained that Burlington was not really Hamilton.

Chris Byrnes, the owner of a radio license in Woodstock commented that “Each time I return to Burlington, it frustrates me that there is no local radio station in my home town, a city of over 176,000 people.

Burlington is the largest city in Ontario, and perhaps Canada that does not have the benefits of a local radio station. So I did something about this and found a FM frequency and filed an application with the Canadian Radio Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) back in late 2013, after conducting an audience demand study, an economic study and having conversations with some of the key stakeholders in our city.

On 16 January the CRTC finally issued a public notice inviting comments from the public on the “appropriateness of issuing a call for radio applications to serve Burlington, Ontario.”

In this public notice they also say “The city of Burlington is included within the Hamilton Census Metropolitan Area (CMA), which is currently served by seven commercial radio stations.

Burlington accounts for 24% of the total population of the Hamilton CMA.” They go on to say they want “additional information that the Commission will take into consideration before making a final determination on whether it should proceed with a call for applications”

It will be an uphill battle, explains Byrnes to convince the CRTC in Ottawa that Burlington is not part of the Hamilton CMA. But if enough Burlington residents and business owners submit their comments to the CRTC, then perhaps the CRTC may then invite applications for an FM license to serve Burlington.

Byrnes would like you to support this application and bring radio to Burlington.

He explains how to do this.
Your comments need to be in your own words, but you might want to mention how long you have lived and/or worked in Burlington and tell them why you feel Burlington is a distinct city and not part of Hamilton. You might also mention that Hamilton radio stations do not serve Burlington. Lastly, tell them why you feel it is important that Burlington needs its own FM radio station.

You can send your comments electronically: Here’s the link:
Click on this link to submit your comments directly to the CRTC.

When you get to the website you will be asked to write your comments in the comments box or if you wish, write a letter first and save it. Then follow the instructions to upload a word document.

Next click “I do not wish to appear” (as they are seeking public written comments and there will not be a hearing at this early stage) and then provide your contact information in the required fields (first and last name, your email address and the city you live in). Then agree to the terms and conditions and click submit.

There is a degree of urgency – comments must be sent before February 17th.   Monday, the 16th of February is Family Day in Ontario – use the day off to bring radio to Burlington.