DCHP-3

Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission

DCHP-2 (Jun 2016)

Spelling variants:
CRBC, Canadian Radio Commission, Canadian radio broadcasting commission

n. — historical

Canada's first public broadcaster, founded 26 May 1932 and succeeded by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 1936.

Type: 1. Origin — The Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission (CRBC) was created by a federal act passed on 26 May 1932. It was led by three individuals (see the first 1932 quotation) who followed the mandate to regulate and control all Canadian broadcasting, as well as to lease, purchase or construct stations and eventually assume ownership of all broadcasting in Canada (see the second 1932 quotation). However, the commission's powers were severely limited due to lack of funds during the Great Depression of the 1930s. By the time the CRBC was taken over by the CBC on 2 November 1936, it had established only five radio stations. Most cities received the commission's network programs from privately owned stations. (See Canadian Encyclopedia reference). The original CRBC radio network was purchased from the Canadian National Railways, which established a cross-Canada network to offer customers on-board entertainment on passenger trains.

Quotations

1932
New Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission Has Been Appointed Ottawa, Ont. -- The new Canadian radio broadcasting commission will be headed by Hector Charlesworth, Toronto, editor and critic. Thomas Maher, Quebec journalist, will be vice-chairman. Lieutenant-Colonel W. A. Steel, Ottawa, director of radio research for the national research council, will be the third member of the body.
1932
The prime minister has given notice that on Thursday he will move the following resolution: "Resolved: That it is expedient to bring in a measure to provide for the constitution of a commission to be known as the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission, for the purpose of acquiring, operating, regulating and controlling radio broadcasting in Canada." This notice sets at rest doubts which were being expressed that the government planned to bring down legislation this session.
1933
No ban is being placed on the broadcasting of United States radio programmes in Canada, officials of the Canadian radio broadcasting commission declared. A Toronto radio station and its announcer will be called upon by the commission to explain statements made over the air alleging a commission "edict" against United States broadcasts.
1934
This programme will be broadcast on a nation-wide hook-up through the courtesy of the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission to-night at 10.30 to 10.45 (E.S.T.)
1936
BROADCAST FUNERAL Canadian Radio Commission Will Put Description on the Air Ottawa, Jan. 26--As the funeral procession of King George moves from Westminster hall to Paddington station to-morrow the Canadian Radio Commission will broadcast a description of the scene, it is announced.
1966
Who was Touchstone? This was a pen-name used exensively by Hector W. Charlesworth, longtime editor of Toronto's Saturday Night and first chairman of the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission, predecessor of the CBC.
1984
The Conservatives appointed the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission, which began national broadcasting on a regular basis in 1933. When the Liberals returned to power in 1935, they converted the CRBC into the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.

References