Letter from Galiano LTC Chair to Rogers Communication re: GL CREST Site

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Bowen  Denman  Hornby  Gabriola  Galiano  Gambier  Lasqueti  Mayne  North Pender  Salt Spring  Saturna  South Pender  Thetis 
 
 
200 – 1627 Fort Street, Victoria BC  V8R 1H8 
Telephone  (250) 405-5151    Fax  (250) 405-5155 
Toll Free via Enquiry BC in Vancouver 660-2421.  Elsewhere in BC 1.800.663.7867 
Email  information@islandstrust.bc.ca 
Web  www.islandstrust.bc.ca 
 
October 19, 2022       File No.: 3026-01-20-04-2022 
By email: Michael.Krenz@rci.rogers.com 
Michael Krenz,  
Government Relations Director,  
Real Estate and Municipal Affairs,  
Rogers Communications  
 
Dear Mr. Krenz 
Re: Galiano Island CREST Site 1228 Montague Road 
Pursuant to a motion of the Galiano Island Local Trust Committee (LTC), I am responding somewhat 
belatedly to your letter of April 20, 2022.  It is my turn to apologize for the delay. 
On behalf of the Galiano Island Local Trust Committee, I would like to thank Rogers Communications for 
starting to provide factual information to the Galiano Island community on their project to enhance 
cellular service co-locating antennas on the CREST (Capital Region Emergency Service 
Telecommunications Inc.) facility at 1228 Montague Road.  We would point out that the type of 
information that was provided in your letter was the exact information the LTC expected Rogers to 
share with the community when they were in the planning stages of the project in the fall of 2021.  I 
would also note that there remain concerns in the community about not having a complete information 
package on the project and this lack of timely information is leading to continuing unease among some 
residents.  
The Galiano Antenna Siting Protocol, which is compatible with Federal communications and consultation 
protocols, would have provided a template for communicating with the community.  There appears to 
be unfounded apprehensions by some that the protocol is somehow designed to frustrate service 
providers and your assertion that the project is exempt is being challenged:  the community is simply 
seeking more information on the technical details, service enhancements and benefits to the Island 
community.  As we indicated in our previous correspondence, even if a proposal is technically exempt, 
the LTC and community expect that a civic-minded and sensitive provider would voluntarily 
communicate the details of its proposal in a timely manner.   The LTC is here to act as a conduit for that 
information and for questions.  
As to the CREST tower, it was constructed, without reference to the land use mandate of the LTC, to 
provide critical emergency communications in a particular band of radio frequencies used by first 
responders across the island.  That tower is now being used to co-locate commercial radio 
communications in a different band of radio frequencies to primarily serve Rogers’ roaming customers 
on BC Ferries in Active Pass.  Further information would help address concerns harboured by neighbours 
of the CREST tower and the w

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