STEADY BROOK, NL — The governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador announced yesterday $136 million in joint funding to connect all remaining rural households in the province to high-speed Internet.
Up to $116 million of this funding is coming from the federal government’s $2.75 billion Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) and up to $20 million comes from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The number of remaining underserved households to be connected in the province is just over 60,000, according to a press release.
The Internet service providers who will receive the funding to build the necessary broadband connections were not announced in the release.
“We need to close this connection gap and ensure that every nook and cranny of Newfoundland and Labrador has access to reliable high-speed Internet — from Red Bay in Labrador to Tizzard’s Harbour, from Salvage to Cape Broyle, or from Wabana to right here in my backyard of Humber Valley,” said Gudie Hutchings, federal minister of rural economic development and MP for Long Range Mountains, NL, in the release.
“That’s why today’s collaboration to invest up to $136 million to connect all remaining rural households in the province is a historic milestone for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The Government of Canada will continue to make investments like these to help connect every Canadian and achieve our national target of connecting 98% of Canadians by 2026 and 100% by 2030,” Hutchings said.
“An investment in broadband is an investment in communities. It spurs economic growth and improves access to a range of services, from health care to educational opportunities,” said Andrew Furey, premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“In my travels around the province, the need for reliable broadband is often raised by residents and community leaders — and our government has been committed to addressing it. I acknowledge the federal government, specifically Minister Hutchings, and the commitment to close the connectivity gap throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.”
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