Instead the letter Q was chosen for Quetico Provincial Park near Atikokan, which is west of Thunder Bay.

Prior to CBQ's launch, CBC Radio programming aired on private affiliate CFPA.

CFTL-FM, a radio station in Big Trout Lake owned by the Ayamowin Communications Society, rebroadcasts CBQT-FM part-time, with additional programming originating from CKWT-FM Sioux Lookout.

[5] On December 21, 2012, the CBC filed an application to the CRTC to convert the following AM transmitters to the FM dial.

[8][9] On January 21, 2013, the CBC filed an application to the CRTC to convert CBLS 1240 to 95.3 FM with 500 watts (average & maximum ERP).

[19] The CRTC approved the CBC's application to move CBOI to the FM band on February 5, 2018.

[20] On March 3, 2022 the CBC reapplied to the CRTC to add a new FM transmitter at Ear Falls to replace CBOI AM [21] which was approved on May 3, 2022.