OTTAWA, May 4, 2010 – Today the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, made the following statement regarding the Government of Canada's rural broadband initiative:
"Our government is committed to providing high-speed Internet access to Canadians, including those who live in rural and remote areas. In year one of Canada's Economic Action Plan, we announced $225 million in funding to develop and implement a strategy to extend broadband coverage. By far the biggest component of this strategy is Broadband Canada: Connecting Rural Canadians, an initiative that targets Canadians living in unserved and underserved areas. I look forward to announcing details of approved projects to build the infrastructure necessary to offer Internet access in rural and remote areas very shortly.
"Extending broadband coverage is a sound economic investment because it provides households and businesses with Internet service levels more comparable to those of many of their urban counterparts. Our government is moving forward with our digital economy strategy, and rural broadband is an integral part of the plan. We are working to develop a strategy that will strengthen Canada's ability to compete and lead in the global digital economy."
For further information (media only), please contact:
Lynn Meahan
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
