June 2nd, 1975

the bulletin board and that the Society had, in its letter, stated a
preference for having the sign posted in the area of the Licensing
Department. The letter was then ordered received and filed.

From Mr. Roland J. Bouwman, Vice-President, General Counsel, and
Secretary, British Columbia Telephone Company, May 22nd, 1975, replying

to a letter from the City dated April 21st, 1975 to the Canadian Transport

Commission (a copy of which was forwarded to the Telephone Company),

opposing the rate increase proposed by the Telephone Company, and proposing
that telephone rates be equalized throughout the Regional District; and
advising that the proposal would generate substantial costs; would
require use of scarce capital in priority to other projects; would
benefit only a small minority of subscribers, and for the majority of
subscribers in the GVRD would result in higher cost but no practical
gain.

Alderman Ranger stated he viewed the service provided by the Telephone
Company in the same light as other utilities such as sewer, water,
hydro, etc., and mentioned his objection to monies received by the
Telephone Company in this Province going to all its subsidiary companies
in the United States. Alderman Ranger pointed out that there is no
additional charge to place a telephone call from Port Coquitlam tu the
fringe area of the University Endowment Lands, and yet there is a charge
to telephone to areas much closer, such as the municipalities of Surrey,
Pitt Meadows, etc. Alderman Laking advised that the members of the
Greater Vancouver Regional District supported the City's proposal with
respect to telephone rates being equal throughout the Regional District,
and had unanimously passed a motion to that effect; further, that the
GVRD is now preparing a brief setting forth the proposal for submission
to the Canadian Transport Commission. Alderman Keryluk stated he agreed
with the comments made by Aldermen Ranger and Lakiug, and that while he was
impressed with the author of the literature forwacded by the Telephone
Company, he felt the City should be capable of processing an equally
impressive rebuttal thereto. Alderman Ranger stated he felt the Mr.
Bouwman's letter is of little or no value as he failed to point out the
actual costs that would be irvolved in equalizing telephone rates throughout
the Regional District, and Alderman Mabbett commented that the Government
may have to take control of the Telephone Company if they continue to
disregard requests for toll free calling from municipalities in the

fringe areas.

B.C. Tel re
telephone
rates-GVRD
area, etc.