Minister Beare, CAO Leitch, Deputy CAO Warren, Minister Osborne and Director Arbour re: Support for Connected Coast

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Bowen  Denman  Hornby  Gabriola  Galiano  Gambier  Lasqueti  Mayne  North Pender  Salt Spring  Saturna  South Pender  Thetis 
 
 
700 North Road, Gabriola Island, BC  V0R 1X3 
Telephone  250-247-2063    Fax  250-247-7514 
Toll Free via Enquiry BC in Vancouver 604.660.2421  Elsewhere in BC 1.800.663.7867 
Email  northinfo@islandstrust.bc.ca 
Web  www.islandstrust.bc.ca 
 
March 31, 2021 File No.: 5590-30; 6410-03 
 
Via email: CITZ.Minister@gov.bc.ca 
The Honourable Lisa Beare 
Minister of Citizens’ Services 
Via email: dleitch@srd.ca  
David Leitch, Chief Administrative Officer 
Strathcona Regional District 
Via email: josie.osborne.MLA@leg.bc.ca 
Hon. Josie Osborne 
Minister of Municipal Affairs &  
MLA, Mid Island-Pacific Rim 
Via email: jwarren@comoxvalleyrd.ca 
James Warren, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer 
Comox Valley Regional District 
Via email: reachme@danielarbour.ca 
Daniel Arbour 
Director, Electoral Area A 
 
 
Re: Support for Connected Coast by Hornby Island LTC 
 
Dear Minister Beare, CAO Leitch, Deputy CAO Warren, Minister Osborne and Director Arbour, 
 
This  letter  is  written in support of the  application  by  the  Connected  Coast  fibre  internet  project 
(https://connectedcoast.ca/) to install landing sites on Hornby Island. The application will be submitted 
with  the  collaboration  of  the  Comox  Valley  Regional  District,  and  Hornby  and  Denman  Islands,  we 
understand. 
 
The Hornby Island Local Trust Committee passed the following resolution: 
 
“That the Hornby Island Local Trust Committee express support for efforts to attract funding 
to  provide  internet  connectivity  to  all  homes  on  Hornby  Island  by  requesting  staff  to  draft 
letters to be signed by the Chair on behalf of the Local Trust Committee to advise the Hornby 
Island  Economic  Enhancement  Corporation,  the  Comox  Valley  Regional  District  Board, 
Strathcona   Regional   District,   and   the   Minister   of   Citizen   Services   of   the   Local   Trust 
Committee's interest and that it supports funding for a fibre connection to Hornby Island, as 
well as funding for Internet Service Provider (ISP) supported last mile fibre connections to all 
homes on Hornby Island, including advising the Comox Valley Regional District that the Local 
Trust  Committee  supports  their  interest  in  providing  the  10%  funding  requirement  by 
community for a Government of Canada Universal Broadband Fund grant.” 
 
Currently  most  households  on  Hornby Island  receive  substandard internet  service,  and  in  some  areas, 
none  at  all.   Hornby  and  Denman  Island have  been  identified  by the  Canadian  Radio-Television  and 
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) as an “underserviced area.”  Poor internet service is a barrier to 
educational opportunities,  future  health  care  services,  family  enjoyment,  emergency  preparedness, 
conducting business, and also for economic diversification from attracting new residents. 

 
Bowen

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