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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and several cabinet ministers held a press conference in Ottawa and launched the CAD 1.75 billion Universal Broadband Fund for High Speed Internet. The plan was mentioned in the federal government’s 2019 budget and was highlighted on the campaign trail, as well as in throne speech in September. Most of the funding was announced in last year’s budget.
Though after some delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Liberal Government stated that it is now finally on the way to connect 98 per cent of Canada citizens to high-speed internet by 2026.
The decision made in view of issues related to internet speed or connection. More and more Canadians find themselves living online while staying at home due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed to contain the spread of the virus.
Ms. Maryam Monsef, Minister of Rural Economic Development, has said that the government was ready to set up the new Universal Broadband Fund in March, but had to postpone the launch due to the pandemic.
The Prime Minister said that the Canadian government is currently making the arrangements to connect 98 per cent of Canadians to high-speed rail by 2026, up from the previously promised 95 per cent benchmark level, and will connect the rest by 2030.
“These are ambitious goals and we are ready to achieve them,” Trudeau said.
An estimated amount of CAD 150 million will be allocated from the fund to fund projects aimed at achieving community connections by next fall.
A senior official from the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development stated that the application will continue to be reviewed until January 15, 2021, and the goal is to complete the project by mid-November 2021. The official also said that decision about who gets the upgraded connection first will depend on the service providers applying.
Mr. Josh Tabish is a corporate communications manager at the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), a member-based not-for-profit organization that manages the .CA internet domain. He said he hopes that rapid construction will bring relief to many Canadians next year.
“What we really want to see happen is communities who are suffering with slow and sluggish connectivity get those upgrades first,” he added.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has confirmed that the government has also reached a CAD 600 million agreement with Telesat to increase satellite capabilities to improve broadband services in remote areas and in the North.
