CFPT-FM

Last updated
CFPT-FM
Defunct
Broadcast area Greater Toronto Area
Frequency 106.5 MHz (HD Radio)
Branding106.5 Elmnt FM
Programming
Format Indigenous Peoples' radio (Talk, Pop, Rock and R&B)
Ownership
Owner First Peoples Radio
CFPO-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
C First Peoples Toronto
Technical information
Class B1
ERP 988 watts average
2,600 watts peak
HAAT 297.7 meters (977 ft)
Links
Website Archived official website at the Wayback Machine (archive index)

CFPT-FM (106.5 MHz, 106.5 Elmnt FM) was an Indigenous radio station in Toronto, Ontario. Owned by First Peoples Radio, a subsidiary of Dadan Sivunivut, it broadcast music and talk programming targeting the First Nations community, with the former focusing upon both contemporary and indigenous musicians. The station launched on October 24, 2018 as a replacement for the city's Voices Radio station. It ceased operations on September 1, 2025. [1]

Contents

History

In June 2017, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) awarded licences for five new Indigenous radio stations in Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Vancouver, and Toronto to replace the Voices Radio network (whose licenses were revoked in 2015 due to long-term compliance issues). [2] The Ottawa (CFPO-FM) and Toronto licences were awarded to First Peoples Radio, a subsidiary of APTN, with the Toronto station inheriting Voices Radio's 106.5 FM frequency. [3]

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 popular pop, rock, and R&B music. At least 25% of the music played by the station will be by indigenous Canadian musicians. Métis musician Janet Panic was announced as the Toronto station's evening host. [4]

The station officially launched on October 24, 2018 as CFPT-FM. [5]

In January 2022, broadcasters Mark Strong and Jemeni joined the station as cohosts of its morning show. [6]

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 CFPT-FM Toronto and its Ottawa sister station CFPO-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. [7]

On August 30, 2025, First Peoples Radio announced that it would be ceasing operations, as a result shutting down both CFPT-FM and Ottawa sister station CFPO-FM on September 1, 2025 at 12am. [8]

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. ↑ "Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2015-282". CRTC. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  3. ↑ "New radio stations to serve urban Indigenous communities in 5 cities: CRTC". CBC News. Retrieved 2018-10-31.
  4. ↑ Grier, Chaka V. (2018-06-13). "APTN to launch new Indigenous radio station ELMNT.FM in Toronto". NOW Magazine. Archived from the original on 2018-07-17. Retrieved 2018-10-31.
  5. ↑ "Missy Knott launches radio career at new Indigenous radio station in Ottawa". kawarthaNOW. Retrieved 2018-10-31.
  6. ↑ Connie Thiessen, "Mark Strong and Jemeni resurface on Toronto’s 106.5 ELMNT FM". Broadcast Dialogue, January 12, 2022.
  7. ↑ "ELMNT FM stations future in jeopardy". Broadcast Dialogue. May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  8. ↑ Allen, Shawn (August 30, 2025). "First Peoples Radio to Cease Operations, ELMNT FM Stations to Close September 1st" . Retrieved August 31, 2025.

43°38′56.04″N79°22′54.12″W / 43.6489000°N 79.3817000°W / 43.6489000; -79.3817000

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