Government of Canada invests over $41 million to bring high-speed Internet to 2,676 households in Alberta

Residents of rural communities to benefit from increased connectivityinter

OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 9, 2022 /CNW/ - The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed how we live, work, learn and do business, and now more than ever, Canadians across the country need reliable high-speed Internet to access services, supports and opportunities. Through the Universal Broadband Fund's (UBF) Rapid Response Stream, the Government of Canada is taking immediate action to get people living in rural and remote communities connected to high-speed Internet.

Today, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, and George Chahal, Member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview, on behalf of the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, announced over $41 million in funding for 21 projects that will bring high-speed Internet to 2,676 households in rural Alberta.

Today's announcement builds on the Government of Canada's progress toward making sure that 98% of Canadians have access to high-speed Internet by 2026. As we work to rebuild from the pandemic, the Government of Canada will continue to make investments in infrastructure to build strong communities and a more competitive and resilient Canada for everyone.

Quotes 

"This investment will bring reliable high-speed Internet access to 2,676 households in rural Alberta, helping create jobs, improving access to health care and online learning services, and keeping people connected. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed $7.2 billion to connect rural Canadians to better, faster Internet. We will continue making investments like these in rural and remote communities to help connect every single Canadian to high-speed Internet."
– The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development

"For rural communities in Alberta, and Indigenous ones specifically, not having access to reliable Internet has made the impact of this pandemic even more difficult than in other areas of the country, which is why the Government of Canada is investing over $41 million to help ensure Albertans get connected to the Internet as soon as possible. We said we would take action and we are delivering on that commitment. In fact, prior to today's announcement, the government had already approved 48 projects, totalling over $56 million, which will connect more than 36,000 households across the province."
–  The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance

"This is excellent news for Alberta. The pandemic has shown us how essential high-speed Internet access has become. The Government of Canada understands that it is urgent and vital to connect rural and remote regions throughout Canada, including in Alberta."
– George Chahal, Member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview

Quick facts

• The projects announced today are receiving over $41 million in Government of Canada funding to bring high-speed Internet to 2,676 households in more than 25 communities.
• 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 by the Government of Canada designed to help connect 98% of Canadians to high-speed Internet by 2026 and achieve the national target of 100% connectivity by 2030.
• In 2021, 131 projects supported through the UBF were announced, and these projects will bring high-speed Internet to more than 75,000 households in rural and remote communities across Canada.
• The UBF is part of a suite of federal investments to improve high-speed Internet. Find out more on the High-speed Internet for all of Canada page.
• Since 2015, Government of Canada funding has supported projects to bring high-speed Internet to over 1.1 million households in rural and remote communities across Canada.

Associated links

• Backgrounder: List of projects funded
• Backgrounder: Universal Broadband Fund and Telesat low Earth orbit 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

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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Contacts: Jeremy Bellefeuille, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Rural Economic Development, 343-551-0898, [email protected]; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]