Budget 2019: Canadian government creates Universal Broadband Fund aimed at 100% broadband coverage by 2030 (Updated)

By Denis Carmel

Three new tax measures to support Canadian journalism, but nothing for broadcasters. Oh, and no Netflix taxesOTTAWA – In the federal government’s budget released this afternoon, Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced a few measures directly impacting the telecommunications sector and to a certain extent the broadcasting sector.On broadband expansion, in the fall of 2018 the Auditor General of Canada criticized the government for not having a national strategy. ISED (Innovation, Science and Economic Development ministry) responded they could not formulate a strategy without funding. Today, the government promised $1.7 billion in 10 years towards broadband deployment and $1 billion from...