REGINA – The rural broadband funding announcements don’t stop (and there’s another coming Wednesday, too).
The federal government today announced $11.2 million in funding for FlexNetworks to bring new or improved high-speed Internet access and capacity to 21 rural communities in Saskatchewan. In addition to the government’s investment, from the Connect to Innovate program (search Cartt.ca for that, to see the number of announced projects), FlexNetworks is also contributing $3.7 million.
The communities to get help from independent network operator FlexNetworks are listed in the government’s press release as: Amazon, Arlington Beach, Bradwell, Colesdale Park, Etters Beach, Glen Harbour, Island View, Kannata Valley, Mohr's Beach, North Colesdale Park, Pelican Pointe, Renown, Shields, Simpson, Sorenson's Beach, Spring Bay, Thode, Uhl's Bay, Venn, Waterpark Estates and Zelma.
According to 2016 Statistics Canada Census data,, the communities in the list above range in size of zero in Mohr’s Beach, to a population of 288 in Shields, for a total of 1,227 people, tallying what we could find for all 21.
However, Amazon and Renown are not found in the Census as places and Waterpark Estates appears to be a new housing development south of Saskatoon (Updated: It is a new development of approximately 50 homes). According to Google, Amazon is an hour and 22 minutes drive southwest of Saskatoon and can be found at the intersection of Railway Ave. and Highway 2 (see Google Maps screen cap). There isn't much there in the way of people or buildings.
Update: We asked the minister's office for clarity on providing funding to areas which appear on the surface to have no people. Spokesperson Emilie Simard told us in an email: "In rural areas such as in the prairies, communities often have their population dispersed through vast areas.
"Although some of the communities listed in the news release are not counted as places per se in the Census, they’re counted as communities because there are households in surrounding areas that do not have access to minimal backbone capacity according to CTI program parameters. Connecting these communities ensures backbone Internet infrastructure could be brought closer to those areas. As well, these communities are located on FlexNetworks’ projected fibre path and 1 Gbps capacity will be made available in those areas," she said.
The announcement was made by Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development. Goodale’s constituency is Regina-Wescana.
"We have a solid plan to connect all Canadians, no matter where they live, to fast, high-quality Internet services. For people in rural and remote areas, the federal Connect to Innovate program teams up with technology partners to bring digital opportunities for economic, educational, social and personal growth that might not otherwise exist. I'm glad to see more and more Saskatchewan communities gaining access," reads the quote attributed to Goodale.
"Broadband Internet service is key for the prosperity of rural Canadian communities. This project will allow residents in these 21 communities to be better connected to friends, family, school and businesses, as well as have better access to online services and tools. By providing better broadband connections, we are increasing the potential for economic growth and diversification and enhancing the quality of life in small and rural communities,” reads the quote from Minister Jordan.
