1951: Balance of Power
The cause of radio in Saskatchewan loses a key player when Father Maurice Baudoux is consecrated bishop in the fall of 1948. Dr. Maurice Demay, a member of Radio-Ouest-Française, tells how the troops were unsettled by his departure (audio). 
Antonio de Margerie and Dumont Lepage take over. They can still count on Maurice Baudoux and Raymond Denis at any time in their initiatives. Up to this point the Francophones in the West have led a sustained but low-key campaign. But when the Anglophone minority in Montreal gets a radio station as well as the financial advantages of the national network, the Francophones come out openly. The Comité permanent de la survivance française en Amérique decides to take advantage of this decision by the CBC for the cause of French radio in Saskatchewan. The president of the committee, Paul-Émile Gosselin, advises Mr. Margerie of this decision (audio).
Antonio de Margerie and Dumont Lepage take over. They can still count on Maurice Baudoux and Raymond Denis at any time in their initiatives. Up to this point the Francophones in the West have led a sustained but low-key campaign. But when the Anglophone minority in Montreal gets a radio station as well as the financial advantages of the national network, the Francophones come out openly. The Comité permanent de la survivance française en Amérique decides to take advantage of this decision by the CBC for the cause of French radio in Saskatchewan. The president of the committee, Paul-Émile Gosselin, advises Mr. Margerie of this decision (audio). In January 1951, the Board of Governors finally approves the two licence applications from Saskatchewan. But the Department of Transport does not follow suit. They claim a shortage of steel as justification for turning down the licence. The excuse doesn't hold water, since two steel towers from the United States are already on the way to Saskatchewan. In April 1951, the same department approves a licence for Radio Gravelbourg but insists that Radio-Prairies-Nord be established in Prince Albert rather than Saskatoon. This requirement is a vile political ploy, meant to avoid offending the sensibilities of a powerful company belonging to the Sifton family, which has already been denied a licence in Saskatoon. Raymond Denis has to use his influence with the federal government; the two operating licences are finally granted to Gravelbourg on June 6, 1951, and to Saskatoon five months later.
Archives: the end is in sight
Raymond Denis reports to Antonio de Margerie on his conversation with the Minister of Transport about the policy regarding the shortage of steel. 15 February 1951
Antonio de Margerie reminds Raymond Denis that it is essential that Radio-Prairies-Nord be established in Saskatoon rather than Prince Albert. 4 April 1951
Archives: the end is in sight
 Le Canada announces the French radio stations in Saskatchewan. |
![[i Mes mémoires], vol.3, p.78](http://radio.histoiresk.ca/opFichier/mini/-i-mes-memoires---vol-3--p-78-iu3KVHdEcFro-4087-x100.png) Raymond Denis explains in his memoirs why the Board of Governors grants two licences at the same time to the Francophones in Saskatchewan. |
Raymond Denis reports to Antonio de Margerie on his conversation with the Minister of Transport about the policy regarding the shortage of steel. 15 February 1951
Antonio de Margerie reminds Raymond Denis that it is essential that Radio-Prairies-Nord be established in Saskatoon rather than Prince Albert. 4 April 1951
