 | |
| |
Broadcast area | Greater Toronto Area |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 106.5 MHz (HD Radio) |
| Branding | 106.5 Elmnt FM |
| Programming | |
| Format | Indigenous Peoples' radio (Talk, Pop, Rock and R&B) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | First Peoples Radio |
| CFPO-FM | |
| History | |
First air date | Octoberย 24,ย 2018 |
Last air date | Septemberย 1,ย 2025[1] |
Call sign meaning | First Peoples Toronto |
| Technical information | |
| Class | B1 |
| ERP |
|
| HAAT | 297.7 meters (977ย ft) |
| Links | |
| Website | Archived official website |
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]
History
editIn 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. Mรฉtis musician Janet Panic was announced as the Toronto station's evening host.[4]. Mohawk musician Julian Taylor was hired in May 2018 as the host of The Cruise and then the Afternoon Drive Show. [5] [6]
The station officially launched on October 24, 2018 as CFPT-FM.[7]
In January 2022, broadcasters Mark Strong and Jemeni joined the station as cohosts of its morning show.[8]
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 weโre not seeing growth in advertising revenue,โ said LaRose.[9]
On August 30, 2025, First Peoples Radio announced that it would be ceasing operations, resulting in the shutdown of both CFPT-FM and Ottawa 's sister station, CFPO-FM, on September 1, 2025 at 12am.[10]
The CRTC officially revoked CFPT-FM's license on October 2, 2025.[11]
On February 18, 2026, the CRTC issued call applications for new Indigenous radio stations to serve Ottawa (95.7 MHz) and Toronto (106.5 MHz). [12]
References
edit- ^ a b "First Peoples Radio to Cease Operations, ELMNT FM Stations to Close September 1st". 1065 ELMNT FM. August 30, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
- ^ "Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2015-282". CRTC. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
- ^ "New radio stations to serve urban Indigenous communities in 5 cities: CRTC". CBC News. Retrieved 2018-10-31.
- ^ 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.
- ^ McPherson, David (2022-07-22). "Julian Taylor, on his breakthrough album The Ridge". Words & Music Magazine. Archived from the original on 2020-11-30. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
- ^ Wickstrom, Matt (2021-03-09). "Julian Taylor rediscovers his roots on The Ridge". Parton & Pearl Magazine. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ^ "Missy Knott launches radio career at new Indigenous radio station in Ottawa". kawarthaNOW. Retrieved 2018-10-31.
- ^ Connie Thiessen, "Mark Strong and Jemeni resurface on Torontoโs 106.5 ELMNT FM". Broadcast Dialogue, January 12, 2022.
- ^ "ELMNT FM stations future in jeopardy". Broadcast Dialogue. May 15, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
- ^ Allen, Shawn (August 30, 2025). "First Peoples Radio to Cease Operations, ELMNT FM Stations to Close September 1st". Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2025-258, CFPT-FM Torontoย โ Revocation of licence, CRTC, October 2, 2025
- ^ Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2026-33 - Call for applications โ Indigenous radio stations to serve Ottawa and Toronto, CRTC, February 18, 2026
External links
edit- CFPT-FM at The History of Canadian Broadcasting by the Canadian Communications Foundation
- CFPT-FM in the REC Canadian station database
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