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December 16, 2020
To our valued Municipal Partners,
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise across Canada, the
health and safety of our customers, communities and team members
remains our #1 priority. As an essential service, we are
maintaining our efforts to keep our communities connected during
this unprecedented time. This holiday season is unlike any other
and as we move into a new 2021, we wish you, your family and
friends a healthy and safe holiday season.
Mobility for Good - Seniors Expansion
Seniors have been disproportionately impacted throughout the
health emergency as many have had to isolate from friends and loved
ones in order to stay safe. In early December, TELUS
launched Mobility
for Good- Seniors, which provides Canadian seniors receiving
the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) access to a free smartphone,
unlimited nationwide talk and text and 3GB of data for only $25 per
month.
As I have shared prior, this new TELUS Mobility for Good for
Seniors is part of the TELUS Connecting for
Good portfolio of programs that gives Canadians in need
access to TELUS' world-leading technology.
Partnering for a Healthier Future
We encourage you to let your community members know that
if they don't have a family doctor or need healthcare after hours,
Babylon by TELUS Health is here for them. Plus, Babylon by TELUS
Health offers mental health counselling services from the comfort
and privacy of your home. If you're feeling
increased stress or loneliness due to the pandemic, mental health
counsellors can support. Download the free app from the App Store
or Google Play, register and it's ready to use. For more
information, visit telus.com/babylon.
Continuing to Support Our Economy Through COVID-19
Indigenous Connectivity Report
As part of our commitment to reconciliation, TELUS is
working to develop strong, collaborative relationships with
Indigenous Peoples. In November we launched our 2020 Indigenous
Connectivity Report which celebrates the work we are doing
in partnership with communities. We are enthusiastic about sharing
these stories of our collaborative efforts with all Canadians as we
work towards reconciliation as a country.
Rural and Remote Connectivity
As you are likely aware, on November 9, 2020, Innovation,
Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) announced a $750
million increase to the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF), for a total
of $1.75 billion for the expansion of broadband internet
connectivity in Canada. At this time, TELUS team members are
currently reviewing funding criteria to identify which areas are
eligible for UBF funding. Our primary focus has been reviewing
eligibility of over 1,500 communities across British Columbia and
Alberta for the Rapid Response Stream for projects that can be
completed next year. We will be contacting all communities directly
that meet the criteria.
Further, this month we released the
TELUS Rural Connectivity Paper where we propose that, with
the right combination of technologies enabled by coordinated
partnership models and federal, provincial and municipal public
policy - that unleashes both spectrum and funding - all of Canada
can be connected by 2025.
TELUS Supports Communities During COVID-19
Since the pandemic, over 200 communities throughout British
Columbia and Alberta have reached out for support on both community
and business continuity needs. In response to the COVID-19
pandemic, TELUS has committed $150 million to support Canadians
with the services and resources they need. If you have any
questions, please let me know.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, Ned Hodaly. General
Manager Cell: (604) 209-8605
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