About CFCR

CFCR 90.5 FM Community Radio is a non-profit and charitable organization, owned by the Community Radio Society of Saskatoon. We are a volunteer-powered, listener-supported organization serving the alternative radio needs of Saskatoon and surrounding areas. As CFCR is a non-profit organization, our On-Air Hosts are exclusively volunteers, but we do have a small, hardworking Staff, who keep the station running on a day-to-day basis. We work with the kind guidance of our Board of Directors.

CFCR is proud to offer listeners a wide array of programming, broadcasting for an average of about 20 hours of content per day, seven days per week. Programming continues to include an eclectic mix of non-commercial music of all genres, several locally-produced Spoken Word shows (Mon 6-7pm; Tues-Fri 6-7:30pm), and Multicultural Programs broadcast in several languages from around the world (Sat-Sun daytime).

We also feature programming to highlight local events such as the “Fringe Fest Flyer,” “Around The World in 800 Watts” (Folkfest coverage), and the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan “Bardcast.” Our daily “New music, music news & interviews” program The Buzz brings in hundreds of guests per year, promoting various arts, culture and charity events and initiatives. Many musicians perform live-to-air on The Buzz, and we often record these performances and post the audio to our YouTube channel.

As a non-profit, non-campus organization, CFCR is primarily self-funded, employing three main avenues of funding: Donations and other Fundraising, Memberships, and Advertising Sales. We run a two-week Fundraising Drive called “FM-Phasis” each fall, and in the spring we devote the month of April to “Membership Month.” Funds raised go towards maintaining the station and its facilities (studio equipment, server/computer equipment, etc), as well as larger projects such as expanding our Youth Programming (Youth Radio Club, Youth Radio Camp, etc), the redevelopment of CFCR’s website, including the creation of a on-demand content archive, digitization of the library, and more!

History of CFCR

The idea for CFCR was born when the University of Saskatchewan’s Campus Radio station CHSK-FM (previously CJUS) signed off the air in September of 1985, and a small group of concerned individuals decided to form a Community Radio station in Saskatoon.

Following the incorporation of the Community Radio Society of Saskatoon (CRSS) the following year, the founding members set out to convince the city that a non-profit, community-run station was a feasible concept.

After attracting an impressive number of members, many of whom were former CHSK on-air hosts, work was begun in earnest on creating a program schedule, training volunteers and arranging fundraising events.

It was at this time that a huge turning point for CFCR appeared in the form of Saskatoon Telecable, who offered the CRSS the opportunity to immediately begin broadcasting out of the Telecable studios on cable FM and the audio portion of channel 10, at no charge. This arrangement allowed the fledgling radio station to fine-tune its program schedule and provide on-air training to volunteers while preparing its license application with the CRTC. The CRSS then moved it its new home in the lower level of 103 3rd Avenue North in downtown Saskatoon. On July 14th, 1991 at 5:30pm, CFCR made its first test broadcast. The first album spun was A Proud Canadian by Stompin’ Tom Connors, followed shortly by the first complaint that there was too much Stompin’ Tom Connors being played. September 7th, 1991 at 3:19pm marked the official sign-on of CFCR as a full-powered FM radio station, broadcasting at 90.5FM. The first official program to air was Sounds of Scotland.

On March 22, 2006, we increased our output power to 1630 watts, greatly improving the signal and coverage for Saskatoon’s outer-lying areas.

In 2007, CFCR moved to its present location on the 3rd Floor of the beautiful heritage building at 267, 3rd Avenue South. Then in 2008, we began broadcasting our live content online at CFCR.ca in addition to the FM broadcast.

Today, CFCR boasts a membership of over 600, with approximately 150-200 members also volunteering as on-air hosts.

Key Dates & Milestones

September, 1985 – University of Saskatchewan campus radio station CHSK-FM (formerly CJUS) signs off-the-air for the last time.
1986 – Community Radio Society of Saskatoon (CRSS) is formed.
September 20, 1987 – Official sign-on to cable FM, broadcasting out of a Saskatoon Telecable studio, evenings and weekends only.
1989 – CFCR moves out on its own, relocating to the lower level of 103 3^rd Avenue North.
Summer 1991 – CRTC grants CFCR radio broadcasting privileges.
September 7, 1991 – Community Radio’s official sign-on as an FM radio station.
1994 – CFCR receives a National Campus & Community Radio (NCRA) award for Community Development.
2000 – CFCR is nominated for media outlet of the year at the Prairie Music Awards.
March 22, 2006 – CFCR increases power to 1630 watts.
Fall/Winter 2007 – CFCR moves its offices out of the basement into the 3^rd floor of 267 3^rd Avenue South.
January 2008 – CFCR begins broadcasting its live content online at CFCR.ca.
September 2011 – CFCR celebrates its 20th year with their “20 Years Between Your Ears” FM-Phasis funding drive campaign. The funding drive proves to be CFCR’s best ever, earning over $70,000 in pledges for the first time in its history.
November 4, 2011 – CRSS celebrates its 25^th year. The day is deemed “Community Radio Day” in Saskatoon by Mayor Don Atchison.
November 7, 2011 – CFCR unveils its “New Afternoon” lineup, which revamps the programming schedule from noon until 6pm. All shows are kept intact, but their airtimes are shifted.
Fall 2013 – CFCR is awarded “Best Radio Station of Saskatoon” by the readers of Saskatoon city magazine Planet S for the 11th consecutive year.
October 2016 – CFCR celebrates its 25th anniversary on the FM airwaves, with their FM-Phasis Funding Drive. The slogan for the 25th anniversary was “Saskatoon’s Signal Since 1991.” FM-Phasis 2016 featured live concerts by such bands as The Sadies, The Sheepdogs, Public Animal (featuring Ian Blurton) and more.
November 4, 2016 – CRSS celebrates its 30^th year.
March 15, 2020 – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CFCR decides to close their offices and studios to the public, as well as to their Volunteers. The five paid staff members maintain a level of live broadcasting for the next three months, and several Volunteer Hosts begin recording their programs from home. By mid-June, CFCR re-opens the studio to Volunteers, with many cleaning & distancing protocols in place.
September 2021 – CFCR celebrates its 30^th anniversary on the FM airwaves.
November 4, 2021 – CRSS celebrates its 35^th year.

Contact CFCR for more information!

Board of Directors

Executive Board Members

- - President – Nicholas Chelsom McCormick
  - Vice-President – Alex Brassard
  - Treasurer – Brett Campbell
  - Secretary – TBD

Members at Large

- - Anne Jeffrey
  - Danny Kerslake
  - Duncan Pickard
  - Skyler Klyne
  - Darryl Dozlaw

Email the board: board@cfcr.ca

- Community Radio Society of Saskatoon – Annual General Meeting Minutes – June 2026
- Community Radio Society of Saskatoon – Annual Report – June 2026

What does being on our Board mean? Specifically, our Board members attend monthly meetings (currently over Discord). Broadly, the duties and responsibilities of the Board of Directors are:

To determine the mission and vision of the Society and review them regularly.
To approve an annual budget and oversee adherence to it; control investments and management of capital assets; ensure adequate funding resources to sustain Community Radio and ensure CRTC compliance and high-quality programming.
To advocate for public policy and community support in the best interest of Community Radio.
To hire, support and evaluate the performance of the General Manager and, if necessary, effect dismissal.
To encourage membership in the Society.
To assess its compliance with these duties and responsibilities annually.

Bylaws

CFCR Bylaws 2017 (pdf)

Saskatoon Community Radio
267 3rd Avenue South, Saskatoon, SK

Listen Live Now!

View Full Schedule

Land Acknowledgement

CFCR acknowledges that we broadcast from Treaty 6 Territory, the homeland of the Cree and Métis Nations, and the traditional territories of the Dene, Saulteaux, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota. We pay our gratitude to the First Nations and Métis people who have called this ancestral land home for generations, and whose histories, languages, and cultures continue to influence our community. On a foundation of reconciliation, recognition, and respect, CFCR is committed to reaffirming relationships with one another, and to establishing new ones.

Now Playing

About CFCR

History of CFCR

Key Dates & Milestones

Board of Directors

Executive Board Members

Members at Large

Bylaws

Country Music Alberta presents: Next from the West

CCMA Country Crawl 2026 featuring Quinty’s and Olli Eldrick and the Transatlantic Cowboys (FREE)

Jeru The Damaja

Lyle Lovett and his Small Large Band w/ Hello Darlins

Bahamas

CFCR FM-Phasis 2026 Fundraiser Wrap-Up Party – Blind Commentary and Chesterfield (FREE SHOW – PWYC)

Ashwyn Singh Comedy

Ashwyn Singh Comedy

Tiny Toes w/ Red Flag

Journey

Dan Mangan w/ The Secret Beach

Starpainter w/ Carter Felker and Glass Hand Family Band

Now Playing

Land Acknowledgement