DAUPHIN, MB — Continuing its chain of self-congratulatory press releases as we near an election, the federal government today sent out yet another missive touting high-speed Internet for rural voters. Meanwhile, it still does nothing for the urban poor who can’t afford the broadband that passes right by their homes already.
Anyhoo, in today’s press release, Robert Sopuck, Member of Parliament for Dauphin–Swan River–Marquette in Manitoba, announced the federal government’s investment in Manitoba NetSet for high-speed Internet services targetting nearly 10,000 homes in the rural Parkland region of the province.
This is the latest in a recent series of announcements regarding rural communities that have benefitted from high-speed Internet investments as part of the federal government’s Connecting Canadians program.
In total, Manitoba NetSet will receive up to $9.9 million to provide high-speed Internet services to up to 48,000 households across Manitoba. The broadband infrastructure project is expected to be completed by the end of 2017, delivering Internet speeds of at least 5 Mbps.
The nearly 10,000 households in the Parkland region of Manitoba that will benefit from today’s announcement are located in the following communities: Alonsa, Benito, Binscarth, Birtle, Bowsman, Clanwilliam, Erickson, Gladstone, Glenella, Hamiota, Harrison, Keeseekoowenin 61, Lakeview, Langford, Lansdowne, Lawrence, McCreary, Minitonas, Minnedosa, Minto, Neepawa, Odanah, Rosedale, Rossburn, Russell, Sandy Bay 5, Shellmouth-Boulton, Shoal Lake, Silver Creek, Strathclair, Swan River, Waywayseecappo First Nation and Westbourne.
“Today’s high-speed Internet announcement is great news for the Westman and Parkland areas of Manitoba. We live in an increasingly connected world where access to the Internet is essential for participating in today’s digital economy. It helps create jobs, provide economic opportunities, and link residents and local businesses to online services as well as far-off family members and friends,” MP Sopuck said in the news release.
“NetSet Communications is proud of our rural roots and ability to provide fast, reliable, interference-free Internet to the residents and businesses of Manitoba. With this funding, we will be able to provide more residents and businesses across Manitoba with faster speeds than available today. The speed and reliability of Internet has an impact on every person and community — from healthcare, education, agriculture and economic development to the simply joys of witnessing a child take their first big step from around the world,” Robbie Zetariuk, director of marketing and dealer development for NetSet Communications, is quoted as saying in the news release.
A similar announcement is expected on Thursday from Industry Canada regarding high-speed Internet coming to the Miramichi region of New Brunswick.
