Up to 14,000 households to benefit from improved access to high-speed Internet and seven communities to benefit from mobile connectivity
May 19, 2022 - Ottawa, Ontario
Today, the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, together with the Honourable Lisa Beare, British Columbia Minister of Citizens' Services, announced up to $108 million in combined federal and provincial funding to bring high-speed Internet access to up to 14,000 households and mobile connectivity to seven communities in rural British Columbia, including First Nations communities.
These projects are part of an existing agreement between British Columbia and Canada. On March 8, 2022, both governments announced a historic partnership to invest up to $830 million to provide all British Columbians in rural, remote and Indigenous communities with access to high-speed Internet. The governments of Canada and British Columbia will continue to announce projects selected under this agreement over the coming months.
Today's announcement builds on the Government of Canada's progress toward ensuring that 98% of Canadians have access to high-speed Internet by 2026, and 100% by 2030. British Columbia's plan accelerates this work, with a provincial target of 100% of B.C. communities connected by 2027. The governments of Canada and British Columbia recognize the important role that high-speed Internet and mobile connectivity will have in economic recovery from the pandemic. Collaborating to provide better Internet and mobile services to British Columbians living in rural, remote and Indigenous communities will contribute to the economic growth of the entire province.
