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, together with Lisa Beare, British Columbia’s Minister of Citizens’ Services, announced over $3 million in federal and provincial funding for five CityWest projects to bring high-speed Internet access to over 800 households in the rural communities of Dease Lake, Iskut, Lach Klan (Gitxaała Nation), Lax Kw’ Alaams and Smithers, British Columbia. This includes nearly 500 households in Indigenous communities.
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 all remaining rural, remote and Indigenous households 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.
“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 marks a significant milestone for Internet connectivity in rural British Columbia. This investment will provide reliable high-speed Internet access through CityWest Cable and Telephone Corporation to more than 800 underserved homes in five communities across British Columbia.” – Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development