Telecom Order CRTC 2021-242

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Ottawa, 30 July 2021

Public record: 1011-NOC2019-0191

Broadband Fund – Acceptance of statement of work for Tough Country Communications Ltd.’s British Columbia transport fibre project

Background

1. In Broadband Fund – Project funding approval for Tough Country Communications Ltd.’s British Columbia transport fibre project, Telecom Decision CRTC 2021-47, 4 February 2021 (Telecom Decision 2021-47), the Commission awarded up to $55,040 to Tough Country Communications Ltd. (Tough Country) for the project proposed in its application filed in response to the second call for applications for funding from the Broadband Fund. On 9 February 2021, the Commission received written acceptance of this funding award from Tough Country.
2. On 4 June 2021, the Commission received Tough Country’s proposed statement of work, including the information package regarding its British Columbia transport fibre project (the project).

Commission’s analysis and determinations

3. Having reviewed the documents submitted, the Commission approves the finalized statement of work and will provide it separately and in confidence to Tough Country.
4. Provided that Tough Country complies with all conditions of funding set out in Telecom Decision 2021-47, constructs the project as described in Schedule A: Statement of Work, and complies with all procedural requirements to submit reports, invoices, and requests for funding, the Commission will direct the Central Fund Administrator to make payments to Tough Country in respect of the project. Failure to comply with these conditions and requirements could result in funding being delayed or not being disbursed.
5. Tough Country is required to submit, quarterly, a progress report and expense claim beginning no later than 29 October 2021 or as otherwise agreed to with the Commission, and every three months thereafter until the project is completed.
6. Further, in accordance with the Commission’s determinations in Telecom Decision 2021-47, Tough Country must offer and provide broadband services using facilities funded through the Broadband Fund once the infrastructure is built, as committed to in its application and approved in Schedule B: Project Services.

Policy Directions

7. The 2006 Policy Direction^{Footnote 1} and the 2019 Policy Direction^{Footnote 2} (collectively, the Policy Directions) state that the Commission, in exercising its powers and performing its duties under the Telecommunications Act (the Act), shall implement the telecommunications policy objectives set out in section 7 of the Act, in accordance with the considerations set out therein,^{Footnote 3} and should specify how its decisions can, as applicable, promote competition, affordability, consumer interests, and innovation.
8. The Commission considers that its approval of funding from the Broadband Fund for the project described in this order is consistent with the Policy Directions. Specifically, the decision to allocate funding towards improving broadband services in British Columbia will help to close the gap in connectivity in underserved areas and will respond to the social and economic needs of consumers. In doing so, this order will implement the telecommunications policy objectives, including those set out in paragraphs 7(a), (b), and (h) of the Act.^{Footnote 4}

Secretary General

Date modified:

2021-07-30