In 2019, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission launched the Broadband Fund to help connect rural and remote communities across Canada to reliable, high-speed internet.
To date, the fund has improved high-speed Internet and cellphone service in over 270 communities, connecting institutions such as schools, health care facilities, and community centres. This includes connecting nearly 50,000 households through building over 5,000 kilometres of optic fibre.
“We are taking action to help ensure that all Canadians have access to high-quality communications services,” Vicky Eatrides, Chief Executive Officer of the CRTC.
Up next, the CRTC is taking action to help bring Internet to the far-north communities of Jade City (of “Jade Fever” reality television fame) and Good Hope Lake in British Columbia, as well as Upper Liard in the Yukon.
Through its Broadband Fund, the CRTC is committing $14 million to CityWest to build approximately 250 kilometres of new transport fibre infrastructure.
“The project announced today will have a positive impact on three communities in British Columbia and the Yukon,” Eatrides remarked. “This will help improve access to health care and education, and create new economic opportunities.”
The CRTC says it is continuing to make improvements to the Broadband Fund. In December, for example, the CRTC announced its first decision to improve the fund and help make it faster and easier to connect Canadians to high-speed Internet.
The Government of Canada is working to bring high-speed Internet access to 98% of Canadian households by 2026 and 100% by 2030.
The CRTC is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that regulates the Canadian communications sector in the public interest, holding public consultations on telecommunications and broadcasting matters.
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