Executive Agreement Series No. 34
811.7642/75
The Canadian Minister (Herridge) to the Acting Secretary of State
Sir: I have the honour to inform you that the Canadian House of Commons recently appointed a committee to enquire into the whole position of radio broadcasting in Canada. This committee has under [Page 93] consideration a technical scheme for broadcasting in Canada which it is considered will provide satisfactory coverage in the chief population areas throughout the Dominion and at the same time make provision for the community service that may be desired. This scheme is divided into two distinct parts:
- (a)
- A chain of high-power stations, operating on clear channels, and located at suitable intervals across Canada;
- (b)
- A number of low-power stations of very limited range, operating on shared channels, and located as required for community service.
If this scheme receives the approval of Parliament, it is proposed to use 50 K.W. stations, one in each of the Provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and eventually one in the Maritime Provinces. In Saskatchewan and Alberta it is proposed to use 5 K.W. stations at present, two being used in each Province, synchronized on a common channel. In Ontario there will be, in addition, two 10 K.W. stations, one in Western Ontario and one in Northern Ontario. Four smaller stations of one K.W. capacity each are provided for the Port Arthur-Fort William area, and for Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec. In the Maritimes, three 500-watt stations are provided for the present, one in each Province. The scheme also includes a 500-watt station on the shared channels for the city of Toronto for local service.
In adopting this plan, Canada would reserve the right to increase the power of the stations in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Northern and Western Ontario to 50 K.W. each, should such increase become necessary.
The committee, in addition to considering the power required, propose the following channels as suitable for the main stations:
| Prince Edward Island | 630 | K.C. |
| New Brunswick | 1,030 | K.C. |
| Nova Scotia | 1,050 | K.C. |
| Quebec | 930 | K.C. |
| Montreal area (1 K.W.) | 600 | K.C. |
| “ “ (50 K.W.) | 730 | K.C. |
| Ottawa | 880 | K.C. |
| Toronto area (500 Watt) | 1,120 | K.C. |
| “ “ (50 K.W.) | 690 | K.C. |
| Western Ontario | 840 | K.C. |
| Northern Ontario | 960 | K.C. |
| Port Arthur-Fort William area | 780 | K.C. |
| Manitoba | 910 | K.C. |
| Saskatchewan | 540 | K.C. |
| Alberta | 1,030 | K.C. |
| British Columbia | 1,100 | K.C. |
In order to ensure satisfactory local broadcast service throughout Canada, it is proposed that stations, limited to a maximum power of 100 watts, be erected where necessary, and that they should be operated on shared channels. It is considered that one hundred or more such stations may eventually be required in Canada, and that twenty channels should be available for this type of service. In establishing such stations, it is proposed to maintain the same geographical separation between Canadian and United States stations as is maintained between United States stations of the same power.
Due notification would, of course, be given of the effective dates of any changes in the present operation to conform with the above plan.
In the event of the adoption of the above arrangement, it is understood that if, as the result of the Madrid Conference, any additional channels are made available for broadcasting, a further allocation will be made, as between the United States and Canada, on an equitable basis.
I shall be obliged if you will inform me at your early convenience whether the United States authorities can make the necessary readjustments so that these channels will be available for effective use in Canada.
I have [etc.]