OTTAWA - The Canadian radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has approved a licence for Al-Jazeera English despite concerns from some that it could violate Canadian regulations on abusive comments.

But influential groups such as the Canadian Jewish Congress and B’nai Brith Canada did not oppose adding Al Jazeera to the list of available digital channels – partly because the network agreed to set up a consultative committee to give the Jewish community input, the CRTC said.

The broadcast regulator received more than 2,600 comments supporting Al-Jazeera’s licence application and about 40 comments opposing it.

Among those in favour of allowing the 24-hour English language news channel were the National Council on Canada-Arab Relations, the Canadian Arab Federation, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression, NDP leader Jack Layton and Conservative Senator Hugh Segal.

Though the Canadian Jewish Congress did not oppose the application, it said it was concerned about the service, according to the CRTC. The congress asked the commission to make sure Al-Jazeera avoids Holocaust denial or anti-Semitic statements and that it stay independent from its controversial Arabic-language counterpart.

Christina.spencer@sunmedia.ca