Radiocommunication Act

Marginal note:Minister’s powers

• 5 (1) Subject to any regulations made under section 6, the Minister may, taking into account all matters that the Minister considers relevant for ensuring the orderly establishment or modification of radio stations and the orderly development and efficient operation of radiocommunication in Canada,

  • (a) issue

    • (i) radio licences in respect of radio apparatus,

    • (i.1) spectrum licences in respect of the utilization of specified radio frequencies within a defined geographic area,

    • (ii) broadcasting certificates in respect of radio apparatus that form part of a broadcasting undertaking,

    • (iii) radio operator certificates,

    • (iv) technical acceptance certificates in respect of radio apparatus, interference-causing equipment and radio-sensitive equipment, and

    • (v) any other authorization relating to radiocommunication that the Minister considers appropriate,

    and may fix the terms and conditions of any such licence, certificate or authorization including, in the case of a radio licence and a spectrum licence, terms and conditions as to the services that may be provided by the holder thereof;

  • (b) amend the terms and conditions of any licence, certificate or authorization issued under paragraph (a);

  • (c) make available to the public any information set out in radio licences or broadcasting certificates;

  • (d) establish technical requirements and technical standards in relation to

    • (i) radio apparatus,

    • (ii) interference-causing equipment, and

    • (iii) radio-sensitive equipment,

    or any class thereof;

  • (e) plan the allocation and use of the spectrum;

  • (f) approve each site on which radio apparatus, including antenna systems, may be located, and approve the erection of all masts, towers and other antenna-supporting structures;

  • (g) test radio apparatus for compliance with technical standards established under this Act;

  • (h) require holders of, and applicants for, radio authorizations to disclose to the Minister such information as the Minister considers appropriate respecting the present and proposed use of the radio apparatus in question and the cost of installing or maintaining it;

  • (i) require holders of radio authorizations to inform the Minister of any material changes in information disclosed pursuant to paragraph (h);

  • (j) appoint inspectors for the purposes of this Act;

  • (k) take such action as may be necessary to secure, by international regulation or otherwise, the rights of Her Majesty in right of Canada in telecommunication matters, and consult the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission with respect to any matter that the Minister deems appropriate;

  • (l) make determinations as to the existence of harmful interference and issue orders to persons in possession or control of radio apparatus, interference-causing equipment or radio-sensitive equipment that the Minister determines to be responsible for the harmful interference to cease or modify operation of the apparatus or equipment until such time as it can be operated without causing or being affected by harmful interference;

  • (m) undertake, sponsor, promote or assist in research relating to radiocommunication, including the technical aspects of broadcasting; and

  • (n) do any other thing necessary for the effective administration of this Act.

• Marginal note:Canadian telecommunications policy

  (1.1) In exercising the powers conferred by subsection (1), the Minister may have regard to the objectives of the Canadian telecommunications policy set out in section 7 of the Telecommunications Act.

• Marginal note:Bidding system for radio authorizations

  (1.2) In exercising the power under paragraph (1)(a) to issue radio authorizations, the Minister may use a system of competitive bidding to select the persons to whom radio authorizations will be issued.

• Marginal note:Payments pursuant to bids

  (1.3) Where the Minister accepts a bid for a radio authorization under a system of competitive bidding, any moneys payable to Her Majesty pursuant to the bid are in lieu of any fees fixed under this or any other Act for the radio authorization.

• Marginal note:Procedures for bidding system

  (1.4) The Minister may establish procedures, standards and conditions, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, bidding mechanisms, minimum bids, bidders’ qualifications, acceptance of bids, application fees for bidders, deposit requirements, withdrawal penalties and payment schedules, applicable in respect of a system of competitive bidding used under subsection (1.2) in selecting the person to whom a radio authorization will be issued.

• Marginal note:Obligation

  (1.5) Any person who is subject to the procedures, standards and conditions applicable in respect of a system of competitive bidding used under subsection (1.2) shall comply with all of them.

• Marginal note:Suspension or revocation of radio authorization

  (2) The Minister may suspend or revoke a radio authorization

  • (a) with the consent of the holder thereof;

  • (b) after giving written notice to the holder and giving the holder a reasonable opportunity to make representations to the Minister with respect thereto, where the Minister is satisfied that

    • (i) the holder has contravened this Act, the regulations or the terms or conditions of the radio authorization, or

    • (ii) the radio authorization was obtained through misrepresentation; or

  • (c) on giving written notice of suspension or revocation to the holder, without having to give the holder an opportunity to make representations to the Minister with respect thereto, where the holder has failed to comply with a request to pay fees or interest due under paragraph 6(1)(l).