$10.3m invested to bring high-speed Internet to over 1,000 Indigenous homes

eAwazLocal News

Rural communities to benefit from increased connectivity to high-speed Internet

Nain – Through the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF), the Government of Canada is taking action to get people living in rural and remote communities connected to high-speed Internet. On March 24, 2022, the Government of Canada and Government of Newfoundland announced over $22 million in funding for one project to bring high-speed Internet to more than 1,000 Indigenous households in Hopedale, Makkovik, Nain, Natuashish, Postville and Rigolet, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Today, Yvonne Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and to the Minister of Northern Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, announced $10.3 million in additional federal funding for this project. This additional funding will help ensure the successful completion of the project and that households in these Indigenous communities get connected to high-speed Internet.

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. The Government of Canada will continue to make investments in infrastructure to build strong communities and a more competitive and resilient Canada for everyone.

“We all know that Internet is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. That’s why our government made a historic commitment to connect 98% of Canadians to high-speed Internet by 2026. Today’s announcement in Nain underscores our commitment to Internet connectivity in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. This additional investment will provide reliable high-speed Internet access to more than 1,000 Indigenous homes in six rural and remote communities in Newfoundland and Labrador.”- Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency