October 24, 1993

N. Shore rates to

64 pages

VANCOUVER

aD

Office, Editorial 985-2131

rise 40%

if phone co. gets CRTC OK

BC TEL is asking North
Shore residents to vote yes
in a referendum to support

a phone rate hike of more
than 40%.

By Anna Marie D’Angelo
News Reporter
The

telephone company is

‘sending Lower Mainland custom-

ers ballots that must be received
by a research company by Nov.
30...

The vote is required by the Ca-
nadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission
(CRTC), the agency which regu-
lates phone companies.

According to BC Tel, the ref-
erendum is the last hurdle before
all. Lower Mainlanders can enjoy
toll-free calls that wil] encompass
an area -ranging from Bowen
island to Maple Ridge and
Aldergrove. -.,

BC Tel said the new rates are a
‘small price to pay'’’ to eliminate
all long-distance charges to Co-
quitlamn, Port Coquitlam, Maple
Ridge, Surrey, Langley, Delta and
Bowen Island,

BC Tel statistics indicate. that
more than 64% of North Van-
couver residents regularly call long
distance in the proposed toll-free
areas. ;

But North. Vancouver resident
George Wilson is one of numerous
people opposed to BC Tel’s pro-
posed change. ‘

Wilson says he pays a maximum
$2 a month for toll charges to
calling areas that will ‘be roll-free

if the new rates are applied.

But his home phone bill will
invrease by $5 a month if the new
rates are approved.

“It's just a nioney grab,”’ ‘said
Wilson. a
On the North Shore, the proposed
new rates would translate to:

@ a 42% increase for residential
service — fron: $12.05.a month to
$17.50; ;

fi Business wlaee
Cocktails & Caviar .2...47

Crossword... .

@a 46% increase for business
service — from $41.85 a month to
$61.25,

The North Shore will be hit
harder by the rate increases than
some other Lower Mainland
municipalities.

For example, Port Coquitlam's
monthly residential increase would
be less than 1% — from $17.35 to
$17.50: its monthly business rate
increase would be about 2% —
from $60.60 to $61.25.

Wilson said increased telephone
rates that would allow for ex-
tended toll-free calling would be.

easier to accept if everyone in the -

affected areas the
same rates.

“Here on the North Shore, we
are really going to get gonged with
this,’’ said Wilson. .

But West Vancouver Chamber
of Commerce president Gordon
Pearmain said the North Shore
was at a lower base rate than”
other Lower, Mainland
municipalities. and the higher hike |
was related to ‘‘lots of catch up.”*

‘Wm astonished our rates are
not higher,’’ said Pearmain.

_ He said businesses ‘hat regularly
place toll calls: to eastern areas of
the Lower Mainland will benefit
from the higher basic service rate. |

He said West Vancouver service’
and retail businesses are operating
further “afield”? than . Vancouver
City. of , \
North . Vancouver “Chamber of
Commerce president Judi
Ainsworth was not available for

were paying

‘comment to press time. =.

Meanwhile, Wilson said BC Tel

was adding insult to, injury .con-

cerning phone rate hikes by asking
for a January 1994 rate increase
above and beyond the new. toll-
free rates. 7

The. referendum requires a 50%
approval for passage. The new
rates would go into effect on May
15, 1994,

Phone customers’ who haven't
received a ballot by Nov. 1 can
call 1-800-661-7202.

BS Lifestyles... 0... eee
Municipal Affairs... .
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. Weather

Monday & Tuesday, mostly sunny. Highs 12°C, Lows 4'C.

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Fire dance

NORTH VANCOUVER City firefighters (Tom Bradley with tickets, Bob Hanlon
and the masked Rick Cannell) are out to promote a good time for a good
cause. The ninth annual NVC Firefighters Halloween Dance is set for Friday,
Oci. 29 at Eagles Hall, 170 West 3rd. All proceeds go to the NVCFF scholar-
ship fund. Tickets are available at the department’s fire hall at 165 East 73th.

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OF 1969