Does the new TELUS TV Digital Box still work with an IR remote.

IR support AFTER the initial setup is iffy. 
There is NO clear documentation on how to add a 3rd party remote, assuming you can,  the button mapping will be very limited.

Deep inside the settings menu of the TelusTV-21T -there is an option to "program the remote with TV" and add Bluetooth accessory, but they do not work well. 
I've tried for hours unsuccessfully to get a Harmony Hub connected to the box... 

YMMV 

Apparently IR is supported. See this thread:

Hardware for new Optik google - TELUS Neighbourhood