1973
On July 18, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation was awarded a licence for a new AM station at Thunder Bay, using the old CJLX frequency of 800 Khz (CJLX had lost its licence earlier in the year). There was strong competition for the new station from applicants like National Dream Corp. Inc., Richard George Andison, Alden E. Diehl, F. Baxter Ricard, Walter J. Clemens... and Ralph H. Parker Ltd. (to change the frequency of CFPA).

1976
The CBC’s CBEFT began broadcasting on July 10 – on channel 78. The official launch date was July 16 – so the station was on the air in time for the following day’s opening ceremonies of the Montreal Olympic games. In the beginning, CBEFT was a rebroadcast transmitter for CBFT Montreal (French – Radio-Canada). Radio-Canada also owned and operated CBEF-AM 540 in Windsor.

1982
CBEFT moved from channel 78 to channel 54 on October 29. Channels 70 through 83 were taken away from UHF television to be used for other purposes.

1984
CBQ-FM 101.7 (CBC Stereo network) signed on the air July 5.

1989
The CRTC noted at CBEFT’s licence renewal hearing that the station rebroadcast the  programming of CBLFT Toronto, as well as most of the network programming of the Radio-Canada network. It was further noted that CBEFT was unable to rebroadcast all of the network's programs due to the blackout requirements for some local sporting events. As the city of Detroit, MI was situated within the station's coverage area, certain  American programs which were protected by U.S. broadcast rights could not be aired on CBEFT. Given these special circumstances, CBEFT ended its broadcast day at 11:20 p.m. Monday through Thursday and, during the remainder of the broadcast period rebroadcast late-night feature films and other station-acquired programs.

1990
CBQ 800 became CBQT 88.3 in August, operating with 23,700 watts effective radiated power.

1995
CBQT began broadcasting 24 hours a day (AM network goes 24 hours with rebroadcasts of programs from international broadcasters) on May 1.

1996
Sister station CBET-TV Channel 9 (English) was auhtorized to move its transmitter and antenna from downtown Windsor to CBEFT’s site at McGregor.