SKIDEGATE, BC – Thirty-three rural and remote British Columbia communities, including13 Indigenous communities, will receive new or improved high-speed Internet thanks to a joint federal-provincial investment of $38 million.
The funding, announced Tuesday by Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains, and British Columbia’s Minister of Citizens’ Services Jinny Sims, comes in addition to the $45.4 million investment announced in January for 154 coastal BC communities.
According to the announcement, $19.7 million will come from the federal government’s Connect to Innovate program; $11.3 million will come from the Government of British Columbia, through the Connecting British Columbia program and the Northern Development Initiative Trust; and $7.2 million will come from other contributors.
“Regardless of where they live in British Columbia, people should have access to the same high-speed Internet as that available in major urban centres like Vancouver or Victoria”, said Minister Sims, in the announcement. “This is fundamental to how all people access high-quality health care, emergency services, education and the global economy. This partnership is another example of our commitment to investing in the people of this province—urban, rural and Indigenous—creating a better future for all British Columbians.”
The organizations receiving funding are:
– Shaw Communications – $11.73 million from the federal government and $9.01 million from the Government of British Columbia for two new fibre backbone projects to connect a total of 16 communities—6 of which are Indigenous communities—and 5 institutions;
– CityWest Cable & Telephone Corporation – $4 million from the federal government and $1.93 million from the Government of British Columbia for a new fibre backbone project with a small last-mile component to benefit 14 communities in northern British Columbia—including 6 Indigenous communities—and 19 institutions. The small last-mile component of the project will connect 118 households;
– Gwaii Communications – $3.88 million from the federal government and $400,000 from the Government of British Columbia for a new fibre backbone plus last-mile project to connect a total of 2 remote communities, 16 institutions and approximately 341 underserved households in Haida Gwaii; and
– Sts’ailes – $135,000 for a new fibre backbone project that will benefit a large Indigenous community with four institutions.
“Canadians are looking for a quality Internet connection – whether it’s to access education and business development or to reach out to friends, families and loved ones”, said Shaw CEO Brad Shaw, in the announcement. “Our partnership with the governments of Canada and British Columbia enables us to provide superior connectivity to more communities than ever before. We look forward to working with Indigenous communities, local Internet service providers and other institutions to connect their communities to our network.”
CityWest said it was proud to be a part of another huge infrastructure project, adding that the project is set to start later this year with more detailed studies and engagement, and that it is anticipated to take three years to complete with phased construction.
“As a company that was built in the North, we know first-hand the challenges that our customers face, which is why we invest heavily in many areas of the North to bring Internet to under-served areas,” said CityWest CEO Chris Marett, in a company statement. “With this announcement, the governments of Canada and British Columbia have opened the door to allow even more residents and businesses in the North to access fast, reliable Internet.”
The Canadian Cable Systems Alliance (CCSA) offered its congratulations to CityWest and Gwaii Communications, both CCSA members, on being named as a recipients of government funding to help extend broadband internet services in British Columbia.
“We welcome this new funding commitment from the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia as part of their respective Connect to Innovate and Connecting British Colombia programs,” said CCSA CEO Jay Thomson, in a statement. “We are particularly proud of the fact that two of our members, CityWest and Gwaii Communications, were selected to receive funding for these important projects. Smaller, local companies throughout Canada have tremendous value to add in extending broadband services to rural areas because they best understand their communities’ needs.”
Photo from Tuesday’s annoucement via Minister Bains' Twitter account
