The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission will no longer require broadcast radio stations to renew their licences, as part of a rule it said it has adopted to help stations save money and shrink administrative burdens. The commission said it was hoping the action would amount to a boost for terrestrial broadcasting which, while facing challenges recently, nonetheless remains a vital source of news, information and culture.

A report on the RadioWorld website said that the open-ended licences will replace those that presently have a maximum term of 7 years. The commission will phase in the new licensing framework as the stations apply for their renewals.

In a statement, the CRTC assured broadcasters that station monitoring would still be vigilant despite the switch to the open-ended licences. Compliance reviews, which traditionally have occurred at the time of licence renewal, will instead be conducted as needed.