Fox and CanWest didn't apply jointly for a license at all it was the Global Television Network that applied to broadcast Fox News Canada. Here's how it went down according to
Wikipedia. All the links to the decisions and applications are on their website.
On December 14, 2000, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved FOX News Canada on behalf of the Global Television Network, for broadcast. FOX News Canada was to be a domestic Canadian version of FOX News. The channel, or specialty television service, was never implemented by FOX, and the deadline for commencement of the service expired on November 24, 2004.
On June 18, 2003, the Canadian Cable Telecommunications Association (CCTA), an organization representing approximately 90 cable companies in Canada, applied to add FOX News, ESPN, HBO, and other non-domestic programming to the CRTC's Lists of Eligible Satellite Services on a digital basis. In their application the CCTA duly noted that, absent a change in CRTC policy, some of the channels were likely to be ineligible for addition to the lists as some were partially or totally competitive with licensed Canadian programming. Some Canadian channels additionally might hold exclusive rights. In a lengthy response, the CRTC stated that "the Commission considers that CCTA has not raised sufficient question as to the validity of the existing policy, or sufficient argument or evidence as to the benefits of its proposed approach, to warrant a policy review at this time" and noted that "CCTA has not provided the information generally required for the Commission to consider requests to add services to the Lists. Accordingly, the Commission is not in a position to examine whether it would be appropriate to authorize for distribution any of the specific services noted in CCTA’s request".
The CCTA applied on April 15, 2004 solely to add FOX News, along with the NFL Network. CCTA's acting president Michael Hennessy said that the previous "bulk approach... ...was just too big", adding it raised "significant issues" with respect to broadcast rights and competition with existing domestic services. On November 18, 2004 the CRTC announced that a digital license would be granted to FOX News. In its proposal, FOX News stated, with reference to FOX News Canada, that "Fox News does not intend to implement this service and therefore will not meet the extended deadline to commence operations". On December 16, 2004, Rogers Communications became the first Canadian cable or satellite provider to broadcast FOX News, with other companies following suit within the next several days.
The CRTC's previous refusal to grant Fox News a license had been contested by some Canadians, as well as American fans of the channel, who believed the decision to be politically motivated.
I already know what you're going to say, same company, my mistake but still I just don't think FNC wanted anything to do with Fox News Canada. I spend about the same amount of months per year in the US as I do in Canada and I have to agree with them on that one. The channels such as Mystery Canada, Food Network Canada, Discovery Canada, etc... have entirely different line-ups and programming than their counterparts. I do however think it would be a great idea to add a Canadian based Fox News bureau to focus on national issues here.