Opposition MPs doubt government's commitment to broadband everywhere

By Christopher Guly OTTAWA – The federal government needs to declare universal broadband access across Canada as an essential service, according to John Nater, the Official Opposition shadow minister for rural economic development. “Online learning, e-commerce, connecting communities and families during the pandemic is absolutely essential now,” the conservative MP for the Ontario riding of Perth-Wellington (pictured) said in an interview. “Upwards of 60% of rural communities across Canada don’t have access to broadband and are missing out on economic opportunities. You cannot operate in 2020 without access to high-speed internet. It’s a roadblock to small businesses, to families, to...