CFPO-FM

Last updated
CFPO-FM
Defunct
Broadcast area National Capital Region
Frequency 95.7 MHz
Branding95.7 ELMNT FM
Programming
Format Indigenous Peoples' radio (Talk, Pop, Rock and R&B)
Ownership
Owner First Peoples Radio
CFPT-FM
History
First air date
October 24, 2018(6 years ago) (2018-10-24)
Last air date
September 1, 2025(7 days ago) (2025-09-01) [1]
Call sign meaning
First Peoples Ottawa
Technical information
Class B1
ERP 9,100 watts
HAAT 117.4 metres (385 ft)
Links
Website Archived official website at the Wayback Machine (archive index)

CFPO-FM (95.7 FM, 95.7 ELMNT FM) was an indigenous peoples' radio station in Ottawa. Owned by First Peoples Radio, a subsidiary of Dadan Sivunivut, it broadcast music and talk programming targeting the First Nations community. Music was both from mainstream and indigenous artists.

Contents

CFPO-FM had an effective radiated power (ERP) of 9,100 watts. The transmitter was atop Tower C at Place de Ville on Queen Street at Lyon Street in Ottawa. [2] The station ceased operations on September 1, 2025. [1]

History

On June 14, 2017, the CRTC awarded licences for five new Indigenous radio stations in Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. [3] The new stations would replace the Voices Radio network (whose licenses were revoked in 2015 due to long-term compliance issues). [4] The Ottawa (CFPO-FM) and Toronto (CFPT-FM) licences were awarded to First Peoples Radio, a subsidiary of APTN, with the Ottawa station inheriting Voices Radio's 95.7 FM frequency. [5]

In June 2018, it was announced that the two First Peoples Radio stations would brand as Elmnt FM, and air a mixture of music and talk programming, including pop, rock and R&B music. At least 25% of the music played by the station will be by indigenous Canadian musicians.

The station officially launched on October 24, 2018, as CFPO-FM. [6]

The 95.7 MHz FM frequency in Ottawa had previously been used by Voices Radio's CKAV-FM-9 since the 2000s until it left the air in 2014. [7]

In May 2024, the CRTC rejected an application by First Peoples Radio requesting that $2 million in tangible benefits funding being paid by Stingray Group be redirected for two years to support CFPO-FM and its Toronto sister station CFPT-FM. FPR chairman Jean LaRose said the application was a last ditch effort to keep the stations operational due to the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has on advertising revenue. Staff at the stations had been cut from 26 to 6 leaving no on-air personalities. As a result of the CRTC decision "we have to see just how far we can go and decide whether we have to close in the coming months if we’re not seeing growth in advertising revenue,” said LaRose. [8]

On August 30, 2025, First Peoples Radio announced that it would be ceasing operations, as a result shutting down both CFPO-FM and Toronto sister station CFPT-FM on September 1, 2025 at 12am. [9]

References

  1. 1 2 "First Peoples Radio to Cease Operations, ELMNT FM Stations to Close September 1st". 1065 ELMNT FM. August 30, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  2. FCCdata.org/CFPO-FM
  3. Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2017-198 Licensing of the new radio stations to serve the urban Indigenous communities in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa and Toronto, CRTC, June 14, 2017
  4. "Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2015-282". CRTC. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  5. "New radio stations to serve urban Indigenous communities in 5 cities: CRTC". CBC News. Retrieved 2018-10-31.
  6. "Missy Knott launches radio career at new Indigenous radio station in Ottawa". kawarthaNOW. Retrieved 2018-10-31.
  7. Decision CRTC 2001-627, New native FM station to serve the Ottawa-Hull region, CRTC, October 4, 2001 (Previously used by CKAV-FM-9 Aboriginal Voices Radio)
  8. "ELMNT FM stations future in jeopardy". Broadcast Dialogue. May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  9. Allen, Shawn (August 30, 2025). "First Peoples Radio to Cease Operations, ELMNT FM Stations to Close September 1st" . Retrieved August 31, 2025.