To properly understand our role in Canada's broadcasting industry, it is essential to understand how community radio began here in Canada. The first student radio station was born in 1922, at Queen's University, in Kingston. Then, community radio developed in large urban centres, particularly during the 1970s, during a time of great social upheaval. Community radio stations sprung up in Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa and Vancouver.
During the 1980s, the model became regionalized, and during that time, more specifically in 1988, the first French-language radio station outside Quebec, Radio Péninsule, went on the air in New Brunswick.
The creation of all of these stations led to changes in the broadcasting industry regulations. In 1991, the CRTC recognized community radio as a full-fledged industry partner. It was allowed to sell advertising and, therefore, take its rightful economic place within the broadcasting industry.
In closing, I would just like to mention that last week, the 141st community radio station began broadcasting in Bécancour, on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, just across from Trois-Rivières.