Rural and remote communities in coastal British Columbia will benefit from faster Internet

Through a combined investment of $45.4 million, the Government of Canada in partnership with the Government of British Columbia is bringing new or improved high-speed Internet to 154 rural and remote communities, enabling residents to get online. Of these 154 communities, 44 First Nations will benefit.

The funding was announced by the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development; the Honourable Jinny Sims, British Columbia Minister for Citizens’ Services; and Jennifer Rice, British Columbia Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Member of the Legislative Assembly for the North Coast, at Canada Place in Vancouver.

This investment will help residents of these communities connect with family and friends, do business online, participate in distance education and take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the digital age. It will also help connect schools, hospitals, libraries and businesses to networks that are essential to their services.

Today’s investment includes new subsea fibre optic cable that will connect communities between Prince Rupert and Vancouver, as well as around Vancouver Island—a total of 3.5 million metres of cable. Thanks to this investment in high-capacity networks in remote and underserved communities, all British Columbians, including First Nations, will be able to fully participate in the digital economy.