CRTC looking to bring Indigenous radio stations to Toronto, Ottawa

The CRTC has opened a call for applications for Indigenous-led FM radio stations in Ontario’s two largest cities. On Wednesday, the regulator issued a release identifying a “need and a demand” for Indigenous radio offerings in Toronto and Ottawa, both of which have been without a dedicated Indigenous station since 2025. Previously, the Aboriginal Voices Radio Network operated in both cities, though its stations shuttered following licensing issues with the CRTC. Meanwhile, First Peoples Radio (FPR) serviced Ottawa and Toronto for multiple years before ceasing operations in 2025 following a string of financial difficulties exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is the Commission’s preliminary view that these markets should be served by radio stations operated by and for Indigenous peoples,” read the release. According to census data from 2021, 44,635 Indigenous people live in Toronto, while another 46,540 people living in Ottawa claim First Nations, Metis or Inuit status. The commission suggested that potential applicants consider the frequencies 95.7 MHz in Ottawa and 106.5 MHz, both which became available after FPR closed last year. However, the CRTC noted, applications for other available frequencies would also be considered. Those interested in applying must submit applications by June 18, after which all submissions will be considered at an unscheduled public hearing. The commission emphasized that “too many new stations could result in sub-dividing each market,” meaning it’s likely only one station will be licensed in Toronto and Ottawa. CRTC data suggests total revenue for the Ottawa-Gatineau English-language and ethnic radio market was $41.6 million in 2024, with an average profitable operating margin of 8.7 per cent. In comparison, the Toronto English-language market saw $154.2 million in revenue in 2024, while the city’s ethnic market added nearly $20 million, while both saw positive operating margins. The commission is currently developing an Indigenous broadcasting policy that seeks to meet “the needs and interests of Indigenous audiences, broadcasters, and content creators.” Further consultations on the strategy are expected later this year, though a timeline for the document’s final release remains unclear. news@thewirereport.ca

CRTC looking to bring Indigenous radio stations to Toronto, Ottawa

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By Wire Report Staff
|February 19, 2026

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CRTC looking to bring Indigenous radio stations to Toronto, Ottawa

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