INUVIK, NT – The governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories (NWT) announced Monday a combined investment of more than $19.7 million for the construction of a 137-kilometre fibre link between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, an Inuvialuit hamlet on the Arctic Ocean.
In addition to supporting the design and build of the fibre line, this investment will enable the completion of fibre-based infrastructure between High Level, Alta., and Tuktoyaktuk, according to a press release from Infrastructure Canada.
“This new line will provide backbone infrastructure to support existing internet service in Tuktoyaktuk, which is currently provided through a microwave radio system, with a faster, more reliable fibre-optic link,” the release reads.
The federal government is investing more than $14.8 million in this project, while the NWT government is contributing more than $4.9 million. The federal funding is coming from the Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
As part of this project, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) will be collaborating with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation as a key land owner in the region, the release says.
This project marks Canada’s most northerly fibre-optic link, according to the release.
“The GNWT is strongly focused on increasing the broadband accessibility and speed through large-scale infrastructure investment in projects like the Inuvik-Tuk Fibre Line that in turn provide opportunities for private Internet providers to deliver the services that NWT residents need in their homes and communities. Access to reliable, high-speed internet is a critical part of any modern society, that helps create economic opportunities for residents and lets governments deliver important programs like education and health care,” Diane Archie, NWT minister of infrastructure, said in the release.
“Reliable broadband infrastructure for northern families and businesses must not be a luxury. It is critically important for economic growth, keeping people connected, and ensuring Northerners have the same access to Internet as the rest of Canada,” said Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories. “The expansion of the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk will contribute to our government’s commitment to connect all Canadians to high-speed internet by 2030.”
