Which authority must license all radio stations in Canada?

In Canada, the authority responsible for licensing all radio stations is the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). The CRTC is an independent regulatory agency that oversees various aspects of telecommunications and broadcasting, ensuring that radio communications comply with Canadian laws and regulations.

The CRTC issues licenses for radio stations, granting them the authority to operate within specific frequency bands and under set conditions that align with the regulatory framework and public interest objectives of Canadian broadcasting. This includes considerations related to content, service quality, and the promotion of Canadian culture and diversity in broadcasting.

Other authorities, such as the Minister of Transport or Industry Canada, may have roles in broader telecommunications and transportation policy, but the licensing itself is within the purview of the CRTC. The Minister of Defense typically deals with national security and military communications, not civilian broadcasting regulations. Thus, the CRTC's role is central and paramount in the regulation of radio broadcasting in Canada.