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Mayor calls for end to paper-bill fee

Prince Rupert Mayor Jack Mussallem is calling on CityWest to remove the $2 fee for those wanting paper bills.

Prince Rupert Mayor Jack Mussallem is calling on CityWest to remove the $2 fee for those wanting paper bills.

“We have got seniors and others on fixed income and none of them as subscribers, made a decision to have City West use computers and put them at a disadvantage where it would cost them additional money per month because they want a paper statement,” he said at the Sept. 2 council meeting.

While Coun. Barry Cunningham noted CityWest has a list of people without Internet who won’t be charged for paper bills and anyone can go to the office and add their name, Mayor Mussallem said that wasn’t good enough.

“I think it is totally unfair that the onus is put on the subscriber. I would prefer, as we are the representative of the shareholders of that corporation, that our city manager goes back to board of directors and the staff. The onus shouldn’t be on the subscriber. I think it’s totally unfair,” he said.

On Aug. 28, a number of companies that charge paper bill fees agreed to provide exemptions for customers who have no personal or home broadband connection, persons with disabilities who need a paper bill, seniors aged 65 and over and veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces.

CityWest declined to comment.