Today, Terry Beech, Parliament Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Member of Parliament for Burnaby North—Seymour, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, along with Lisa Beare, B.C.’s Minister of Citizens’ Services, announced over $17.3 million in funding for 4 projects that will bring high-speed Internet to over 2,000 households in Cariboo regional district and in Indigenous communities of the Thompson-Nicola regional district in rural British Columbia.

High-speed Internet service is essential to the success of everyone living and working in rural British Columbia. Today’s investment will bring reliable, high-speed Internet access to over 2000 households in the Cariboo district and Indigenous communities of the Thompson-Nicola regional district, helping create jobs, improving access to health care and online learning services, and keeping people connected to their loved ones. Our government has committed over $119 million to 31 connectivity projects in British Columbia, which will connect over 34,000 more households to better, faster Internet. We will continue to make investments like these to help connect every Canadian to the high-speed Internet they need.
- Terry Beech, Parliament Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Member of Parliament for Burnaby North—Seymour

“Here’s in British Columbia, we are making record investments in connectivity infrastructure and seeing steady progress towards a future where people in rural and Indigenous communities will have the Internet access they need to share in the benefits of digital technology. By working with First Nations, the private sector and all levels of government and by investing in fast and reliable Internet access, we are opening doors and giving people more options within their home communities.”
- Lisa Beare, B.C.’s Minister of Citizens’ Services.

“By supporting and investing in these kinds of partnership-driven connectivity projects, we help make life better for First Nations and rural communities across the province.  Having access to fast, reliable internet helps provide people the tools they need to succeed and build strong and bright futures for themselves and helps our rural and remote communities thrive.  Whether it is real-time virtual support in healthcare, remote educational opportunities, or anything between, these are critical investments for rural community vitality.”
- Roly Russell, B.C.’s Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development

"We welcome this funding because as our recent broadband connectivity study highlighted, faster, more reliable internet service is much needed across our region. It is crucial to the future of the Cariboo and Chilcotin that we have the connectivity needed to participate in the modern economy. Good service is also vital for our emergency response efforts. The greater our reach via electronic means, the more people we can contact when natural events such as wildfires threaten our communities."
- Cariboo Regional District Chair Margo Wagner.

“This partnership with government will deliver upon our collective commitment to bridge digital divides and ensure more Indigenous and rural communities in British Columbia have the technology they need to fully participate in the digital economy. Our PureFibre network is the best Internet technology available today with symmetrical upload and download speeds, supporting local businesses and enabling people to live and work wherever they choose. With this new connectivity, residents will be able to work with large files at home while other family members can simultaneously be doing schoolwork, virtually connecting with healthcare practitioners, or streaming entertainment.”
- Tony Geheran, TELUS Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer.

• Canada’s Connectivity Strategy aims to provide all Canadians with access to Internet speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download / 10 Mbps upload.

• The Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) is a $2.75-billion investment designed to help connect all Canadians to high-speed Internet. Applications to the UBF were accepted until March 15, 2021, and are now being evaluated.

• The UBF is part of a suite of federal investments to improve high-speed Internet. The suite includes the Connect to Innovate program, which is expected to connect nearly 400,000 households by 2023, and the recently announced $2-billion broadband initiative from the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

Associated links

• Backgrounder: Universal Broadband Fund and Telesat low Earth orbit satellite capacity agreement
• Universal Broadband Fund
• Connect to Innovate Program – Project status updates
• Canada Infrastructure Bank announcement
• High-Speed Access for All: Canada's Connectivity Strategy

Marie-Pier Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development
Marie-Pier.Baril@cfc-swc.gc.ca
613-295-8123

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca

Stay connected

Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA