MP David Wilks and Minister James Moore announce major investment that will bring fast, reliable Internet services to 11,000 homes in the Kootenay region
July 8, 2015 – Cranbrook, British Columbia
Everyday tasks that were once done in person, such as shopping, communicating, learning and banking, are now done online. To help Canadians have better access to these and many other online opportunities, the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Industry and Minister Responsible for British Columbia, and David Wilks, Member of Parliament for Kootenay–Columbia, today announced that the Government of Canada will provide $3.34 million to the Columbia Basin Trust to bring high-speed Internet services to approximately 11,000 households in British Columbia. Mr. Wilks highlighted the communities that will benefit in the Kootenay region, including many in Cranbrook, East Kootenay and Columbia Shuswap.
The broadband infrastructure project is expected to be completed by the end of 2017, delivering Internet speeds of up to ten megabits per second (Mbps), twice as fast as the target speed for the Connecting Canadians program.
For Canadians who live in communities with slow or no Internet, access to high-speed services will lead to new economic opportunities and the creation of new jobs, products and services.
By Canada's 150th birthday in 2017, over 98 percent of Canadian households will be able to subscribe to new or improved high-speed Internet services, delivering on the Harper Government's commitment to rural Canadians.
Jake Enwright
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Industry
343-291-2500
Media Relations
Industry Canada
343-291-1777
media-relations@ic.gc.ca