Just informed by the tuned-in Tod Maffin that a license has been granted by the CRTC for a gay community radio station in Toronto.

While this is interesting content news for radio fans like myself, it's also a bit of a questionable turn of events as there was no CRTC open call for applications -- which is standard practice when there we have an opening in the ultra-tight T.O. FM band.

The CRTC has a number of valiant objectives to pursue when it comes to the Canadian broadcasting system (yes, I support them!) but bending the rules for whatever cause just doesn't sit well with me. I welcome the new station with open arms, but I don't appreciate the way in which it appears this license was awarded.

These are public airwaves and the public must have a say on the issue. This will only set a problematic precedence the next time a frequency opens up.

UPDATE: Turns out, by the time I'd posted this, info started spilling in on Maffin's site about "protected frequences" and other interested facts regarding the issue of this license. For clarification and further info, check out his updated post.