Minister Ritz announces major investment that will bring high-speed Internet to over 40,000 homes in Saskatchewan
July 23, 2015 – North Battleford, Saskatchewan – Industry Canada
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 Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Battlefords–Lloydminster, on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Industry, today announced that the Government of Canada will provide $4.63 million to YourLink to connect over 40,000 homes in Saskatchewan to high-speed Internet. This investment will benefit over 100 communities in the southern half of Saskatchewan.
Minister Ritz highlighted the fact that over 6,000 households in the Battlefords–Lloydminster region will benefit from the investment announced today. The project is expected to be completed before the end of April 2018, delivering Internet to homes at a minimum speed of five megabits per second (Mbps).
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 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