GATINEAU — The CRTC today approved a new broadcasting licence for CKHQ 101.7 FM Kanesatake, which previously operated as a low-power Indigenous radio station, located in Kanesatake/Oka, Quebec, and was recently acquired by not-for-profit Mohawk Multi Media (MMM).
In May, the CRTC approved MMM’s acquisition of the station from CKHQ United Voices Radio (the station’s existing logo is pictured), and today the Commission issued its decision regarding the station’s licence, allowing CKHQ-FM Kanesatake’s status to be changed from a low-power unprotected service to a regular-power FM service.
In its application, MMM said CKHQ-FM Kanesatake would broadcast 126 hours of programming each week, of which 119 hours would be local programming. The remaining seven hours would consist of wrap-around programming originating from Indigenous radio station CKRK-FM Kahnawake (K1037), which is owned and operated by Mohawk Radio Kahnawake Association.
CKHQ 101.7 FM Kanesatake’s local programming will consist of 89.5 hours of English-language content, 28.5 hours of Kanien’ké:ha (Mohawk) language content and one hour of French content, according to MMM’s licence application. In addition, MMM says approximately 20 hours each broadcast week will be devoted to spoken-word programming and 106 hours to musical content, 17 hours of which will be music performed or composed by Indigenous creators.
As part of the conditions of licence set out in its licence approval, CKHQ-FM Kanesatake must devote at least 35% of its popular musical selections to Canadian music.
The radio station’s licence will expire August 31, 2027. The station is expected to be operational by no later than June 14, 2023.
