High-speed internet may be on its way to Keats Island.
Gambier Island Local Trust Committee (LTC) gave three readings to draft bylaw number 158, amending Keats Island Land Use Bylaw, in order to permit the establishment and use of telecommunication utilities in the Marine General zone on Keats Island on Jan. 9.
In March 2023, Island Trust received a Crown lease referral for multiple locations and landing sites for fibre-optic cables within the Gambier Local Trust Area.
The area is not currently zoned for that purpose and does not allow for any public utility aside from navigational aids.
The proponent of the project is Connected Coast, which is part of a joint venture between the City of Prince Rupert, CityWest and the Strathcona Regional District. It aims to bring high-speed internet to rural and remote communities along B.C. coastline, Haida Gwaii and Vancouver Island with the use of subsea fibre-optic cables.
The staff report states that the Connected Coast Partnership is responsible for ensuring that all of the required permits are in place before construction.
Marlis McCargar, Island Trust planner said that the proposed marine cable would be encased in a split pipe armoring system that would rest on the seabed.
She clarified that the Connected Coast would not be establishing connections to individual houses. The installation would be the backbone of the fibre-optic network in these communities, and will need to be picked up by a service provider.
McCargar noted that the proposed amendment does not involve the Official Community Plan (OCP) and therefore does not require consultation to be held with persons, organizations or authorities.
She added that in the spirit of relationship building, consultation is considered good practice.
Discussion
Trustee Kate-Louise Stamford asked what sort of timeline could be expected from the project if put forward. McCargar responded that it is difficult to speculate at this time, but suggested a three-to-six-month window.
Peter Luckham, the committee’s chair, asked if a foreshore permit will be required from the Ministry of Forests, and also if staff had any reason to believe there are forensic concerns from the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans in respect to disturbance of fish habitat.
While staff did not have an immediate answer to these questions, they highlighted their recommendation to refer to the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) as part of the consultation process.
Renèe Jamurat, regional planning manager, pointed out that this is a joint project with the Strathcona Regional District as well as the proponent undertaking the work, explaining that the LTC is not responsible for all aspects of development such as construction permits.
Luckham asked if a development permit would be required for the excavation and installation of a fibre-optic cable in the setback from the sea.
McCargar answered that no permit is currently required, adding that this could change in the future when the LTC finalizes a shoreline development permit area for Keats.
The three readings of the bylaw passed unanimously.
The bylaw will next be forwarded to the secretary of the Islands Trust for approval by the executive committee.
The committee also referred the bylaw to local First Nations for consultation including: Squamish Nation, Snuneymuxw First Nation, Lyackson First Nation, Cowichan Tribes, Penelakut Tribe, Lake Cowichan First Nation, Stz'uminus First Nation, Halalt First Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Musqueam Nation. It was also referred to the Sunshine Coast Regional District, Islands Trust Conservancy, Ministry of Forests, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure as well as Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Noting that the referral period will be shorter now that three readings have passed, Luckham highlighted the importance of seeking input from First Nations and hearing any and all concerns regarding the locations chosen with respect to historical and traditional use.
Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
