From the desk of Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney
Hello,This report shares news on a WildSafe program application for Areas C & B, the next steps of a potential wood-chipping service, and my visit to Refuge Cove.
Continue reading Area C Directors Report: WildSafe application, wood-chipping, Refuge Cove visit + more
The West Connect Infrastructure (WCI) crew had just finished laying CityWest’s main cable in Whaletown, when one of the workers noticed that a line had been cut. They immediately informed the RCMP, whose press release states they were initially informed of three cuts to the cable.
Scott Simpson, Senior Marketing Manager at CityWest explained: “On the evening or night of Thursday, March 21st, there was some vandalism done to the fibre optic network that was being constructed for the service to the community of Whaletown. Crews noticed some damage to the network. Upon further investigation, we found that 17 different sites have been damaged along about a 1.5 kilometre stretch on Whaletown Road. So, 17 different sites that had been cut with multiple cuts at each site, quite a bit of restoration work. We’re looking at an estimate of about $40,000 worth of damage overall. That would include materials and the labour to fix everything.”
Continue reading CityWest’s Cable Cut In WhaletownEditor’s note: In CityWest’s press release regarding the incident that follows they state, “see image (above) – marine vessel charts indicate an absence of fishing vessels in the vicinity. However, crabbing pots are observed directly on top of the Haida Gwaii subsea fiber line and right-of-way.”
CityWest has not responded to Cortes Currents repeated requests for an update regarding the installation of internet services on Cortes Island. One of their press releases suggests this began in November ‘with a select group of beta testers.’ Some homes in Mansons Landing and Squirrel Cove informed Cortes Currents they are currently using CityWest, other Cortes residents recently stated they are still waiting.
By Seth Forward, Prince Rupert Northern View, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
CityWest has reestablished most of its service to Haida Gwaii after a month of interruptions have plagued the archipelago since Dec. 24, the company said in a Jan. 24 statement.
The internet and phone service provider said two sub-sea cables were damaged by crab traps in the Hecate Strait, though the Area A Crab Association firmly disputes the claims, calling them “unlikely, if not impossible.”
Continue reading Crabbers refute blame from CityWest over Haida Gwaii internet disruptions
CityWest finally delivered on its promise to bring high speed fibre-optic internet to Cortes Island.
It has been five years since Victoria Smith, then the Strathcona Regional District’s Special Projects and Sustainability Manager, confirmed that Cortes Island was a proposed recipient for the Connected Coast Project.
Continue reading CityWest finally delivers: some Cortes Island homes already receiving service
Sometime this spring, possibly as early as March, Cortes Island residents will get to choose their internet provider.
After building Twincomm up to the company islanders recognize today, on June 28, 2021, former General Manager Dino Tsakonas left to join CityWest.
In an interview at that time, he told Cortes Currents that this came about as a result of the Connected Coast project, which will bring reliable high speed internet to Cortes Island. CityWest partnered with the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) to become the local provider.
Continue reading Coming this Spring: Cortesians choose their Internet provider
