Telecom Order CRTC 2024-34

Ottawa, 12 February 2024

Broadband Fund – Holdback report for Tough Country Communications Ltd.’s British Columbia transport fibre project

In Telecom Order 2023-43, the Commission approved a final implementation report from Tough Country Communications Ltd. (Tough Country) demonstrating that the company had completed a project that was awarded up to $55,040 from the Commission’s Broadband Fund. The project involved construction of approximately 0.6 kilometres of fibre optic transport network to provide new and upgraded points of presence to the communities of Baynes Lake and Kragmont, British Columbia.
In Telecom Order 2023-43, the Commission also directed Tough Country to file a project holdback report, noting that holdback funds would be released only once Tough Country demonstrated to the Commission’s satisfaction that it was operating the network for one year according to the applicable conditions of service set out in Telecom Decision 2021-47 and described in the approved statement of work.^{Footnote 1} Tough Country subsequently filed its holdback report with the Commission.

The Commission has reviewed Tough Country’s holdback report and considers that the project has met the applicable requirements and is fulfilling the objectives of the Broadband Fund. The holdback report demonstrates that Tough Country has been operating the network for one year in accordance with the conditions of service set out in paragraphs 18 to 20 of Telecom Decision 2021-47 and described in the approved statement of work.
Accordingly, the Commission approves Tough Country’s holdback report.
The Commission directs the Central Fund Administrator to distribute the holdback funds to Tough Country.
The Commission also reminds Tough Country that the conditions of service set out in paragraphs 18 to 20 of Telecom Decision 2021-47 and described in the approved statement of work continue to apply during the ongoing operation of the funded infrastructure.

Secretary General