FOR A FULL VERBATIM TRANSCRIPT OF THE HEARING, CLICK ON THIS LINK:
FOR THE VIDEO WE PRESENTED TO THE COMMISSIONERS, CLICK HERE:
On May 10th 2012, Life 100.3 (Touch Communications Ministries) made our presentation to
the CRTC (Canadian Radio-Television Telecommunications Commission)
for the Christian Radio format in Toronto.
We are one of over 20 other applications that include various
formats such as talk radio, business radio, ethnic, asian, blues, etc.
Each radio applicant was given 20 minutes to make a video
and oral presentation, which was played on this big screen:
For a link on the video Life 100.3 showed the commissioners
to showcase the importance of Christian Radio in Toronto,
click on our station manager Scott Jackson's website:
http://christianflamethrower.blogspot.ca/2012/05/crtc-hearing-may-10-2012.html
The Commissioners were Louise Poirier, Stephen Simpson,
Tom Pentefountas, Leonard Katz, Candice Molnar, Peter Menzies and Marc Patrone,
and they sat up on an elevated platform, to ask us questions (see below):
This is where the audience sat to watch. There were not too many
people in the audience for our presentation, but thats OK...
less intimidating for us.
Pastor Ginette Howse from Malvern Christian Assembly gave her 5 minute
endorsement for Christian Radio in Toronto.
In her presentation, she talked about The CRTC Vision:
"World-class quality communications, with a distinct
Canadian presence, in the public interest"
She asked that if we call Toronto a World Class City like LA and New York,
then why dont we have a Christian Radio station?
She also spoke about the thousands of people in her church, representing
over 40 different nationalities. And the thousands of other people
in surrounding churches who attend services every Sunday.
She also talked about church budgets, and how they are strong supporters
of ministries like Christian Radio.
And how many in her congregation have bumper stickers of Christian stations
in the USA.
We all felt Reverend Ginette had a very powerful, compelling presentation!
Even ALL the commissioners leaned forward to hear her speak!
Praise God for her highly valuable input. What a blessing!
When shaking the hands of the commissioners after, one had even mentioned
how we had a "very strong endorser" (being Pastor Ginette).
In this picture, Life 100.3 Program Director Steve Jones answered questions
about the programming/music, and next to him, our Station Manager Scott Jackson spoke
on things such as demographics and how according to Stats Canada,
65% of Torontonians call themselves Christians, and even answered questions on the TCB board members.
Drew Brown, also in this picture, spoke from a perspective of a Christian Artist.
Fazal Karim in this picture, was able to talk about local advertising dollars
being lost in Toronto to the USA, because there is no outlet on FM for
Christian Radio in the GTA; and our broadcast technician Paul Firminger
spoke on the transmitter costs and rental space, and due
to the signal strength only being 800 watts,
that it was not as expensive to operate as high powered FMs.
L-R - Andrew Hamilton, Drew Brown, Janice Baird, Scott Jackson, Steve Jones,
Maria Lopez, Fazal Karim and Paul Firminger
All in all, it is only by Gods grace that we would be able
to be granted this license. According to one listener who emailed us today,
"Keep praying, because in the last half second,
God can change the Commissioners decision in our way, in God ways."
(from Life 100.3 listener Joao)
We have faith for the best outcome.
In our presentation we talked about: what makes our listeners/announcers
different is that we believe in a "Higher Power" (aka Gods grace through Christ).
One commissioner commented on how we were on a mission to "save souls".
Although this is what the Christian heart believes,
I have spoken to many listeners who support Christian Radio who
are non-Christian, and listen for the family friendliness.
So, we know the value this type of uplifting music can bring into people's lives.
At the end, the commissioners wished us "much success in the future."
One Commissioner had even referred to Chuck Swindol's teachings,
and another Commissioner from Alberta mentioned that he was familiar with
Christian Radio there, calling it "quite the powerhouse operation."
We are very thankful for this opportunity to present the possibility of
Christian Radio in Toronto. And we pray for the best.
Please continue to pray for us, and for the commissioners, that God will
touch their hearts and move them to see value in bringing the hope
and faith revealed in Christian Music to more people.
This was the picture ending the day of CRTC hearings, driving
out of the "Princess Gates" in Toronto. May God's hand be on this whole process.
We Believe. We Trust. And We Give Thanks we serve a GREAT, GLORIOUS God.
