Local ownership was always an issue in Vancouver ethnic TV process: Multivan

UpdateFollowing the publication of the article below, CCR learned that the federal Cabinet dismissed the appeals calling for a review of the granting of a licence for an over-the-air ethnic station to Multivan Broadcast Corporation. In Order in Council P.C. 2002-779, dated May 8, the government declined to set aside Decision 2002-39 or refer it back to the CRTC. “Multivan can now get down to business,” says Multivan’s counsel Greg Kane. Cabinet considered the petitions but was “not satisfied that that decision derogates from the attainment of the objectives of the broadcasting policy set out in subsection 3(1) of the Broadcasting Act”. Disputing the contention of some community groups that are appealing the Vancouver ethnic television licensing decision, licensee Multivan Broadcasting Corp. tells the federal government that local ownership was always a major consideration in the licensing proceeding. In its April 11 reply to several petitions to the Governor-in-Council, Multivan urges the government to turn aside the appeals, stating that none of them demonstrate that CRTC Decision 2002-39 derogates from the attainment of the objectives of the Broadcasting Act. Some disgruntled community groups appealed the CRTC’s decision to license Multivan instead of Rogers Broadcasting Limited on the grounds that the licence was granted based on local ownership – a criteria they claim was not included in the original call for applications (CCR, April 12/02). Greg Kane, legal counsel for Multivan, points out that most CRTC public notices, including Public Notice 2001-32 calling for Vancouver ethnic TV licence applications, state key issues that should be addressed "without restricting the scope of the issues considered". He points out that local ownership emerged as a key issue during testimony at the public hearing. "No applicant was to consider that the list of issues that were set out was exhaustive of what the CRTC would consider," Kane tells CCR. "(But the call for applications) does say …‘how the service will reflect and meet the needs of the multicultural, multilingual and multiracial population of the Greater Vancouver area’. So that’s local. It doesn’t use the word local, but everyone knew when they read it that it was local. We said the best way to achieve all of these objectives is through local ownership." He notes that Rogers addressed the issue of local ownership when it appeared before the CRTC and in reply comments. "If it was not an issue, why were they addressing it?" Kane asks. Multivan president James Ho adds: "The local ownership issue was dealt with extensively in the hearing... As a matter of fact, Rogers LMtv used to stand for Lower Mainland Television. During the last round of the application, they changed the name to Local Multilingual Television." Multivan also points out that the Cabinet appeals are being led by Wai Young, who was to be the director of program and community development for LMtv. "Understandably, she is working very hard to save her job at this point," Ho tells CCR. Multivan also disputes the figures contained in the various appeals to Cabinet, noting that Rogers stated it had received 1,600 letters of support, not the 5,750 the appealing community groups claim. Kane also takes issue with the appeal by the City of Victoria, which stated it was being shortchanged because Multivan, unlike Rogers, had no plans to broadcast in the city. He says that it was always Multivan’s intention to apply for a retransmitter for the Victoria market, if it got the licence. That application is currently underway, according to Kane. The figures in Multivan’s reply differ drastically from those filed in the appeal. In a comparison chart, Multivan states it will spend $54.1 million on Canadian programs over seven years versus Rogers’ proposed $50.5 million. Multivan has also pledged to broadcast 86 hours a week of ethnic programming. Rogers had committed to 76 hours, according to Multivan’s response. As the May 15 deadline for Cabinet to respond to the appeal approaches, Wai Young’s group is urging people to phone Canadian Heritage and the Prime Minister’s Office to call for a fair licensing hearing. "… After nine years, three applications, two appeals and one blatantly flawed CRTC decision – they are choosing to continue to ignore the stated media needs," reads an email circulating that is signed by Wai Young. "This issue is going to the Cabinet meeting on May 7, 2002. We believe that Sheila Copps and the prime minister are wrong. This is the last opportunity for you (and your organization/community) to speak out about this and support the appeal."

Local ownership was always an issue in Vancouver ethnic TV process: Multivan

News | 05/09/2002 4:00 am EDT

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