CRD, CityWest Launch C$5.77 Million Fibre Build for 1,647 Gulf Islands Homes
Updated
Updated · Island Social Trends · Jun 26
CRD, CityWest Launch C$5.77 Million Fibre Build for 1,647 Gulf Islands Homes
2 articles · Updated · Island Social Trends · Jun 26
Summary
Construction is starting on Galiano Island in June and July, with Saturna Island work set for the fall, under a CRD-CityWest partnership to extend fibre internet to remote Southern Gulf Islands communities.
About 1,049 homes and 50 businesses on Galiano and 598 homes and 20 businesses on Saturna are eligible for last-mile service through the Connected Coast sub-sea fibre optic network.
C$5.27 million from Canada’s Universal Broadband Fund and C$495,000 from British Columbia’s Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program are backing the expansion.
The deal also gives the CRD a share of CityWest’s annual profit for 30 years, with proceeds earmarked for economic development in the Southern Gulf Islands.
Officials framed high-speed internet as essential infrastructure for remote work, education, health access and public safety, while saying the fibre backbone could support more provider competition.