Bringing high-speed Internet to over 400 households in BC

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

Ottawa – All Canadians need reliable and affordable high-speed Internet, no matter where they live. The governments of Canada and British Columbia are taking action to bring high-speed Internet access to underserved communities. Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency,together with Lisa Beare, British Columbia’s Minister of Citizens’ Services, announced over $2.6 million in federal and provincial funding for the Trout Lake BC Internet Society and the Village of Granisle to bring high-speed Internet access to more than 400 households in rural British Columbia communities. Funding will be allocated as follows:

• $442,460 in funding for the Trout Lake BC Internet Society to provide high-speed Internet access in the communities of Beaton, Galena, Galena Bay, Halcyon Hot Springs, Hall’s Landing, St. Leon Hot Springs, Trout Lake and Whiskey Point
• $2,228,157 in funding for the Village of Granisle to provide high-speed Internet access in the community of Granisle

This funding is part of an existing agreement between the governments of Canada and British Columbia. In March 2022, both governments announced a historic partnership to invest up to $830 million to connect households in all remaining rural, remote and Indigenous communities throughout the province 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.