N.S. premier slams telecom providers for ‘poor participation’ during Fiona response

N.S. Premier Tim Houston is calling on the federal government to hold telecommunications companies accountable after post-tropical storm Fiona left many unable to communicate.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is calling on the federal government to hold telecommunications companies accountable after post-tropical storm Fiona swept through the region over the weekend, leaving many without power — and the ability to communicate.

In a letter Wednesday to François-Philippe Champagne, the federal minister of Innovation, Science and Industry — and the minister responsible for telecommunications — Houston said he was disappointed “with the poor participation and support from telecommunications companies before, during and after this event.”

He said the province’s Emergency Management Office (EMO) began preparing for Fiona a week before the storm arrived, and the office contacted “key critical infrastructure partners” to request that they send a representative to the provincial coordination centre.

Initially, not a single telecommunications company was willing to send someone, Houston said.

“Only after complaints from EMO to their senior leadership did Bell agree to send an agency representative in person, and they attended two days before announcing they were working virtually,” the letter said.

It said Eastlink, Rogers and Telus took part in briefings and communicated with staff virtually, but declined to attend the provincial coordingation cente in-person during the initial response.

“It was only after three days and public and media pressure that the companies sent representatives in person to the (centre,)” the letter said.

“While improvements have been made to cellular and landline service, there are still many cell towers operating on generators and service is unreliable in areas of Cape Breton.”