WHEREAS access to telephone service is critical during medical emergencies; AND WHEREAS priority must be given to rural residents living outside of cell phone coverage areas when service to telephone land lines is disrupted, as this is their only means of contacting emergency services: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM request the provincial and federal governments to require that telephone service providers restore service to those customers without access to cell phone coverage on an emergency basis, in the event of a telephone service disruption.
Ministry of Technology, Innovation Citizens Services The provincial government supports the rapid restoral of services during unplanned service outages and recognizes the importance of reliable telephone and telecommunications services to all citizens. The regulation of telecommunications services is a federal jurisdiction. Telephone services are regulated under the Telecommunications Act, which is administered by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission CRTC. Stephen B. Simpson is the Commissioner representing British Columbia and Yukon at the CRTC. He may be contacted through the British Columbia Regional Office of the CRTC at: http:www.crtc.gc.caengoffices.htm
Minister of Industry The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission CRTC has set out quality of service standards with respect to installation and repair times for telephone service in areas where consumers only have access to one service provider non-competitive areas. This government recently passed legislation to give the CRTC enforcement tools in the form of administrative monetary penalties to encourage compliance with all its regulations.