SIOUX LOOKOUT, ON — Six remote communities in northern Ontario will soon benefit from faster Internet access thanks to a much-needed $7.03 million investment by the government of Canada as part of its Connect to Innovate initiative.
David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED), made the funding announcement Thursday at an event in Sioux Lookout, Ont., saying six Indigenous communities and up to 58 institutions in northern Ontario would get new or improved high-speed Internet access as a result of the federal government’s investment. Also present at the event held at the Kuhkenah Network (K-Net) office, a First Nations-owned and -operated Internet service provider, was the Honourable Bob Nault, Member of Parliament for Kenora.
“For northern Ontario communities, digital investment through the Connect to Innovate program enhances opportunities for residents of all ages. This important investment will support industries like mining and forestry in data collection and observation, students and youth in learning, and residents in day-to-day life with connected devices. It’s all part of our government’s plan to help create opportunity in all communities, including rural communities in the North,” Lametti was quoted as saying in a news release.
In addition to the $7.03 million invested by the federal government, funding applicants will contribute $1.76 million and other contributors will provide $100,000, according to the news release. The two organizations receiving federal funding are K-Net and Western James Bay Telecom Network.
K-Net is receiving $6.59 million to provide three Indigenous communities and up to 16 institutions with new or increased capacity to access high-speed Internet. Western James Bay Telecom Network will receive $441,000 to provide three Indigenous communities and up to 42 institutions with new or improved high-speed Internet access.
“This federal funding will be used to upgrade the networks’ transport capacity and to provide enhanced fibre Internet service to the many anchor institutions and residential Internet subscribers in our region,” said Rebecca Friday, president of Western James Bay Telecom Network and deputy grand chief of the Mushkegowuk Council, in the news release.
“Since 2015, the demand for Internet transport has outstripped our capacity to supply. This has caused gaps in telecommunications service delivery, which has created health and safety concerns in our communities. We will now be able to offer more transport capacity to our hospitals, ambulance bases, schools, band offices and health centres, as well as an affordable fibre-to-the-home Internet package to residential clients. Our youth have embraced this technology, and they will be at the forefront of developing the digital economy on the James Bay coast,” Friday said.
Connect to Innovate is one of several Government of Canada programs to improve telecommunications services for Canadians. It is part of the federal government’s Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs for the middle class.
To date, the Government of Canada has invested $61 million to bring high-speed Internet to Ontario’s rural and remote communities under the $500-million Connect to Innovate program.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
