Government of Canada invests over $289,000 to bring high-speed Internet to 601 more homes in Crysler and St-Albert Français
Ontarians in rural communities to benefit from increased connectivity
OTTAWA, ON, June 9, 2021 /CNW/ - The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how much we rely on our connections. Now more than ever, Canadians across the country need access to reliable high-speed Internet as many of us are working, learning, and staying in touch with friends and family from home. Right now, too many Canadians living in rural and remote communities lack access to high-speed Internet. Through the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) Rapid Response Stream, the Government of Canada is taking immediate action to get Canadians connected to the high-speed Internet they need.
Today, Francis Drouin, Member of Parliament for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, announced over $289,000 in federal funding to bring high-speed Internet to 601 underserved households in the communities of Crysler and St-Albert, Ontario. Bell Canada is investing an additional $867,000 in this project.
The $2.75 billion Universal Broadband Fund was launched in November 2020. Projects funded under the UBF, as well as through other public and private investments, will help connect 98% of Canadians to high-speed Internet by 2026 and achieve the national target of 100% connectivity by 2030.
Today's announcement builds on the progress the Government of Canada has already made to improve critical infrastructure in Ontario. Since 2015, the federal government has invested more than $2.85 billion in over 4,060 infrastructure projects in Ontario communities with a population of fewer than 100,000 people. These investments mean 452 km of new or upgraded roads that are making our communities safer; more than 938 projects to provide residents with cleaner, more sustainable sources of drinking water; and more than 5,427 additional housing units built in rural communities, helping ensure all Ontarians have a safe place to call home.
Quotes
"Having access to a reliable internet connection is important for families in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell. During the pandemic, demand for higher speeds increased with kids and parents learning and working from home. Since 2015, our government invested millions of dollars in rural broadband. Today's investment is further proof that our government is on the right track to not only connect my community, but all Canadians by 2030."
– Francis Drouin, Member of Parliament for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell
"Access to high-speed broadband networks will be a driver of Canada's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and of future social and economic prosperity. Bell has committed to further accelerating our industry-leading capital investment plan over the next two years to connect even more communities across the country. We're proud to invest $867,000 and to partner with the Government of Canada in providing residents of Crysler and St-Albert with access to the fastest fibre home Internet speeds available."
– Bruce Furlong, Senior Vice-President, Access Engineering and Deployment, Bell Canada
Quick facts
- 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
Stay connected
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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Marie-Pier Baril, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, 613-295-8123, [email protected]; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]
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