CityWest to host Community Forums on Haida Gwaii this week

CityWest officials will be on Haida Gwaii this week of a 
series of community forums

Representatives from Prince Rupert based CityWest will be spending some time on Haida Gwaii this week, as the City of Prince Rupert owned Communication company seeks out some feedback from residents on the Islands towards service and future plans for the communities they serve there.

The Schedule for the three days of Community Forum sessions find the CityWest delegation in Tlell today,  Old Massett and Masset on Tuesday and Sikdegate as well as Daajing Giids on Wednesday.

The CityWest team members for the three day sessions include Barry Pages, Regional Manager, Christine Nichol project manager and the newest Vice President for the Communication Company, Lee Brain.

While CityWest hasn't formally introduced the former Mayor of Prince Rupert to his new Management role yet, we noted that Mr Brain joined the company back in December; with his nameplate noting his post as Vice President, Community and Stakeholder Relations making its way to the roster of Management personnel at that time.

The trip to the Islands will mark the first public introduction for the newest VP of CityWest,  to the customers of Prince Rupert, Northwest BC and Haida Gwaii.

It also makes for the first public forum opportunity in recent months for the communication company, an engagement process that residents and customers in the Prince Rupert area may be hoping comes to this community sooner rather than later.

Many customers continue to seek out updates on the status of the Fibre to the Home program, as well as an update on how their investment in the communication company is moving forward. Especially following a few years of expansion to communities along the Highway 16 corridor, as well as to a number of First Nation communities up and down the coast, as well as to Vancouver Island.

It has been more than few years since CityWest appeared at a City of Prince Rupert Council Session to provide an update on the communication company's forward momentum and future plans.

Also of note for the start of the year for  CityWest is the annual release of the Distribution payment that they provide to the ownership at the City of Prince Rupert, something which has not been announced as of yet for 2022.

Last year's announcement which came in late January and saw CityWest provide an 800,000 dollar payment.

The Distribution payment,  is a financial return to the City that may be part of a repayment plan on the loan from the past; the financial instrument not to be confused with a dividend. 

To keep up with how the CityWest team is doing on Haida Gwaii this week, as well as any other notes on the Communication Company's plans for 2023 follow their website and Social Media stream.

Past notes of interest from CityWest can be reviewed through our archive pages.