Telecom Order CRTC 2023-43

Ottawa, 28 February 2023

Broadband Fund – Final Implementation Report for Tough Country Communications Ltd.’s British Columbia transport fibre project

In 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.
On 30 July 2021, in Telecom Order 2021-242, the Commission approved Tough Country’s proposed statement of work, including the information package regarding its British Columbia transport fibre project.
On 18 August 2022, Tough Country submitted its Final Implementation Report to the Commission, confirming that it had completed the project.

Having reviewed the documents submitted, the Commission considers that Tough Country has demonstrated that the project is complete and that broadband services are being offered using the funded infrastructure. The Commission therefore approves the Final Implementation Report.
Tough Country must file a project holdback report on 18 August 2023. Holdback funds will be released only once Tough Country has demonstrated to the Commission’s satisfaction that the company has been operating the network for one year in accordance with the conditions of service established in paragraphs 18 to 20 of Telecom Decision 2021-47 and described in the approved statement of work.

Secretary General