Fibre Optic Initiative

Community,

since yesterday's announcement of the Thetis Island Economic Enhancement Corporation.decision concerning the fibre Optic Initiative, I have had a number of questions from community members regarding my involvement in this decision.

I feel it necessary to reply to the community rather than each person to be sure that there are no misunderstandings regarding my or the Islands Trust's Involvement.

I nor the Islands Trust was involved in the decision in anyway. I was invited to one last minute meeting on Monday at 8:30 where a new-to-me proposal to bring fibre optic internet to Thetis Island was introduced by the CVRD.

This is a joint initiative between the Strathcona Regional District under the Connected Coast banner and an Internet provider called CityWest owned by the city of Prince Rupert.

Both of these companies are publicly owned.

CityWest brought to the meeting a proposal for a 2.4 million dollar project to provide fibre internet to 331 homes on Thetis Island via a sub-sea fibre-optic cable. This project would be funded with a 90% UFB grant and a 10% community contribution proposed to be provided by the CVRD. This 10% contribution would be paid back to the CVRD by CityWest thru profits from user fees over 5 years. It is was not clear what would happen with those proceeds after the 5 years ie whether they would continue to flow to the community or reduce service charges.

No further details were learned in the meeting as it suddenly came to an end when it was announced by the Thetis Island Economic Enhancement Corporation representatives that the project was not needed as the TIEEC had an agreement with Telus to provide Fibre Internet to the Island. Despite this announcement very little information was provided to the attendees regarding this other proposal. A request that more information be provided to the Islands Trust and the CVRD regarding the Telus proposal has be refused.

I nor the Islands Trust has endorsed either project, specifically the TIEEC/TELUS project as no information has been provided. I have been unable to access any information from the TIEEC place speak site, despite having been a registered user on that platform for many years. 

I am unable to answer any questions regarding who reviewed the projects, how it was conducted, what criteria was used, what cost analysis has been done or how connections and services will be delivered.

I am concerned about the lack of community engagement and the lack of transparency of the proposal and or agreements that the TIEE Corporation is entering into on behalf of Thetis Islands.

I can only suggest you direct your questions to Board of the Thetis Island Economic Enhancement Corporation.

Peter Luckham,

Trustee, Thetis Island

Islands Trust

www.islandstrust.bc.ca

Preserving island communities, culture and environment