Whereas the 2019 BC Connectivity Reportproduced by KPMG for the Northern Development Initiative Trust to assess broadband Internet connectivity available to rural and Indigenous communities in BCidentified significant challenges with both access and affordability, challenges which have become glaring in the current pandemic and economic recovery environment; And whereas existing provincial funding focuses on completion of last-mile local network infrastructure or new, upgraded, or expanded backbone infrastructure; and federal government funding programs in development seem to focus on backbone infrastructure without requiring the completion of last-mile local networks; while none of the funding programs address the issue of existing, dormant backbone and last-mile infrastructure that either lacks an Internet service provider to make use of it, or is owned by an existing Internet service provider that declines to activate and use it: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the provincial and federal governments, in their efforts to make broadband Internet access universally available, to implement measures to address access and affordability challenges particularly in rural and remote areas; And be it further resolved that provincial and federal government funding programs for universal broadband Internet should in addition to requiring Internet service providers to complete installation, upgrading, or expansion of both backbone and last-mile network infrastructure require Internet service providers or the owners of network infrastructure to activate and make use of existing, dormant network infrastructure to help achieve universal broadband Internet access.
Ministry of Citizens Services Working to connect all people in British Columbia is a priority for the provincial government. People depend on high-speed internet access to learn, do business, access services and stay in touch with loved ones; it can also help to diversify and grow local economies. That is why the provincial government is working with all orders of government and internet service providers to advance reliable connectivity to more communities and business than ever before. Telecommunications is federally regulated by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission CRTC. In December 2019, the CRTC issued a Call for comments regarding potential barriers to the deployment of broadband-capable networks in underserved areas in Canada inviting interested parties to identify potential barriers andor regulatory solutions to extend networks into underserved areas. Pursuant to the Telecommunications Act, the CRTC is requesting information from owners of dark fibre i.e., dormant fibre and its availability for the purpose of providing universal internet access. Additionally, the CRTC is also asking owners of dark fibre to indicate the terms under which dark fibre could be made available for third-party access. Municipalities and regional districts are encouraged to monitor this proceeding and to write to the CRTC and express their views. The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented situation and highlighted the critical need for connectivity for all British Columbians to help connect them to work, school, government resources and stay in touch with family and friends. As part of StrongerBC, BCs Economic Recovery Plan, the BC government has provided 90-million to the Connecting British Columbia program for connectivity expansion throughout the province. The funding is in addition to the 50-million 2019 expansion of the Connecting British Columbia program. The provincial government also monitors and participates as an intervenor in various proceedings issued by the national regulator, the CRTC.