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Telecom Order CRTC 2025-328

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Gatineau, 2 December 2025

Public record: 1011-NOC2022-0325

Broadband Fund – Acceptance of statement of work for Westman Communications Group’s transport fibre project in Plumas, Manitoba

Background

  1. In Broadband Fund – Project funding approval for Westman Communications Group’s transport fibre project in Plumas, Manitoba, Telecom Decision CRTC 2024-226, 3 October 2024 (Telecom Decision 2024-226), the Commission awarded up to $443,500 to Westman Communications Group (WCG) for its project to build approximately 18 kilometres of fibre infrastructure to bring high-capacity transport services in Plumas, Manitoba, which includes approximately 258 households.
  2. In accordance with the conditions of approval set out in Telecom Decision 2024-226, WCG confirmed in writing its acceptance of the funding award. On 31 January 2025, WCG submitted its completed statement of work for Commission approval.

Commission’s analysis

  1. The statement of work included a $61,056 increase in project funding from the Commission. WCG submitted that costs related to materials and labour and other direct costs, including those associated with large contracts, have increased since it submitted its original application. The Commission considers that WCG has sufficiently justified the increases in these project costs.
  2. WCG will be upgrading network equipment at the interconnection point for this project, removing the need to build one transit point of presence that was planned in the application. The Commission considers this change as justified.
  3. In subparagraph 41(g) of Telecom Decision 2024-226, the Commission stated that the recipient must not claim in excess of 25% of the approved amount for costs incurred after the date of the decision but prior to the approval of the statement of work unless otherwise approved by the Commission. To ensure there were no delays to the completion of the project, WCG has requested to claim in excess of 25% of the approved amount for this project for costs incurred after the date of the decision but prior to the approval of the statement of work. The Commission finds that WCG’s request is justified because it does not introduce any unnecessary delay to the implementation of this project.

Conclusion

  1. The Commission approves the finalized statement of work, including the increase of $61,056 to the approved funding amount, for a new total of $504,556.
  2. The Commission will provide the statement of work separately and in confidence to WCG.
  3. Provided that WCG complies with all conditions of funding set out in Telecom Decision 2024-226, the Commission will direct the Central Fund Administrator to make payments to WCG for its transport project. Failure to comply with these conditions could result in funding being delayed or not being disbursed.
  4. The Commission reminds WCG of the following condition of funding set out in subparagraph 41(j) of Telecom Decision 2024-226: Where a risk of adverse impact on an Aboriginal or treaty right becomes known and a duty to consult exists, WCG must advise the Commission within 20 days and submit a plan detailing the form and process for fulfilment of the duty. Release of any additional funding will be contingent on WCG demonstrating that any necessary consultations were held to the Crown’s satisfaction.
  5. WCG is required to submit quarterly progress reports and expense claims beginning no later than 2 March 2026, or as otherwise approved by the Commission, until the project is completed.
  6. WCG may, in accordance with the Commission’s finding above, claim more than 25% of the approved amount for eligible costs incurred after the date of the funding decision but prior to the approval of the statement of work. Therefore, WCG is permitted to include with its first expense claim the full amount of any eligible costs incurred after the date of Telecom Decision 2024-226. The holdback provisions as described in Telecom Decision 2024-226 will still apply to this claim.
  7. Finally, in accordance with the Commission’s determinations in Telecom Decision 2024-226, WCG must file for Commission approval a final implementation report within 90 days of construction being complete and broadband services being offered. In the report, WCG must confirm that project construction is complete and that broadband services are being offered. The date on which the final implementation report is submitted will be considered the project completion date. WCG must also demonstrate in the report that the project has met the requirements set out in all related decisions.Footnote 1

Secretary General

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