Iqaluit (May 29/06) - They call it "Nunavet," but a Christian radio station wants to set up a repeater station in the territory's capital.

Iqaluit churches have supported the application by CJLF to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, and helped send more than three dozen letters of support to the station manager, Scott Jackson.

Pastor Wayne Moore of the Iqaluit Pentecostal Church tries to tune in 105.5 FM. A Christian radio station from Barrie, Ont., has applied to repeat its signal in Iqaluit, but it is being opposed by local rock station CKIQ Raven Rock. - Kent Driscoll/NNSL photo

CJLF broadcasts from Barrie, Ont., and the Iqaluit station would re-broadcast its feed on 105.5 FM.

"During the day, it is adult contemporary, and there are four talk shows in our 18-hour broadcast day. After 7 p.m., it is for youth aged 12 to 24," said Jackson.

CJLF's application to the CRTC refers to Nunavut as "Nunavet" both times the territory is mentioned.

The application also contains a description of Iqaluit written by a person who spent less than a month in Iqaluit.

That description - which states that 72 per cent of kids drop out of school and "smoking, drugs, alcohol, casual sex and hanging out seem more enticing than work of any kind" - isn't accurate, according to one of the proposed station's biggest advocates.

"I don't think it is really that bad. There is a high drop-out rate and that is sad, but it isn't as bad as that," said Pastor Wayne Moore of the Pentecostal Church.

When asked about the "Growing up in Iqaluit section, Jackson said, "I took that from the website I sourced." That website is a blog written by a locum anesthetist who worked at Baffin Regional Hospital for one month in 2003. Moore's church has set aside $10,000 for the station, out of a proposed budget of $23,500.

"A lot of people use radio here. I don't see it as money leaving the community. We thought this would really help Iqaluit," said Young.

CJLF operates on listener donations, and hold an annual fundraiser similar to a PBS fundraising drive - once a year, and have another campaign at Christmas time.

"We call it a Share-A-Thon because you are sharing your mission with your listeners. We don't want to bother people by always asking for money," said Jackson.

Jackson did confirm that any donations from Iqaluit would be used for the station's general operation.

Jackson spent a few days of June 2005 in Iqaluit to research the community prior to writing his application.

Four churches and their leaders are listed as supporters of the station in the CRTC application.

Moore and James Arreak of the Iqaluit Christian Fellowship are still in Iqaluit. Rev. Ron McLean of the Anglican Church has been transferred and Garry and Joyce Jones of the Salvation Army are also scheduled for transfer.

Raven Rock has filed to be an intervenor in the CJLF application. The station has been running ads pointing out that they are opposing the new station.

Raven Rock is the only private station in Iqaluit. It isn't just a case of protecting market share, according to Raven Rock's President Peter Bolt.

"There is a big difference between a repeater station and an actual station. Just because you label yourself Christian, you still have to contribute to the community. It is a backhanded way to put in a repeater station," said Bolt.

Raven Rock offers volunteer shows. "We've never been approached by anyone in town to have a Christian show," said Bolt.

Bolt is quick to point out that Raven Rock supports Iqaluit both by providing employment and local content.

He said he hopes that the Pentecostal Church can find a different way to spend their $10,000.

"There is a men's shelter in Iqaluit, but no women's shelter. Why spend the money outside the community? Iqaluit does have social problems that need to be addressed," said Bolt.

Moore agrees about the problems, but not the solutions.

"We support a lot of different things, the Embrace Life council, the soup kitchen, the school, the shelters. Yeah, we are giving $10,000, but we are involved in the whole community," said Moore.

Moore used his teenage son as an example. The younger Moore uses the internet to get his Christian music fix. Now, he could tune in.

Letters in favour or against the station are due by May 31, and a decision on the licence application is due in February 2007. If approved, the station could be on the air as soon as June 2007, according to the company's website.