Vancouver, British Columbia — The Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, is pleased to announce that the Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDC) of Nadina and Stuart-Nechako are the recipients of the 2005 Minister’s Award for Excellence and Innovation for their joint British Columbia Northwest Broadband Initiative (BCNBI).
General Managers Jerry Botti and Keith Federink of the CFDCs of Nadina and Stuart-Nechako respectively accepted the award Thursday evening at the Community Futures Development Association’s (CFDA) Annual General Meeting gala presentation in Vancouver.
The BCNBI is bringing high-speed or broadband Internet access to communities in the Northwest that were previously unserved or underserved by broadband. The initiative is improving the lives of Canadians in these communities by reducing geographic barriers and remoteness, and enhancing opportunities for economic development, telehealth and on-line learning.
“The British Columbia Northwest Broadband Initiative demonstrates the spirit of the Community Futures program,” said Minister Skelton. “I congratulate the award winners for their leadership in facilitating the community engagement process, bringing both social and economic benefits to the region.”
The Minister’s Award for Excellence and Innovation is given annually to a CFDC to recognize outstanding achievement in creating an innovative local solution to a local challenge, and to showcase the solution to the rest of British Columbia. Community Futures Development Corporations are part of Western Economic Diversification Canada’s Western Canada Business Service Network.
"This is another excellent example of Community Futures taking a leadership role to enhance the capacity and economic development of rural B.C. communities," said CFDA Chair, Ken White. "We appreciate the confidence and the financial support of Western Economic Diversification Canada and Industry Canada in assisting Community Futures to carry out its mandate."
The CFDCs of Nadina and Stuart-Nechako championed this project on behalf of the BC Northwest Broadband Committee, which represents the high-speed connectivity interests of communities in proximity to Highway 16 from Vanderhoof to the Hazeltons. Close to 44,560 Canadians in four district municipalities, one town, five villages and 15 First Nations communities live in this region. More than 35,000 of these residents had no access to broadband.
Thanks to the BCNBI, approximately 70 percent of the communities included in the project now have access to high-speed Internet. Five Internet service providers are delivering service to communities with negotiations underway for further connection.
Western Economic Diversification Canada invested in the first phase of BC Northwest Broadband Committee’s implementation strategy for high-speed Internet access. Further financial support was provided by Industry Canada under the Broadband for Rural and Northern Development (BRAND) Pilot Program.
BRAND is a national program that is committed to bringing broadband service to rural, remote and Aboriginal communities.
Western Economic Diversification Canada is the federal department mandated to support economic diversification in communities across Western Canada, through activities that promote and assist Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Communities.
For additional information, contact:
Jinny Wu
Communications Officer
Western Economic Diversification
Canada
Vancouver, B.C.
604-666-2445
jinny.wu@wd.gc.ca
Jerry Botti
General Manager
CFDC of Nadina
Houston, B.C.
250-845-2522
1-800-556-5539
Keith Federink
General Manager
CFDC of Stuart-Nechako
Vanderhoof, B.C.
250-567-5219
1-800-266-0611
