It's good news for those living in rural and Indigenous communities.
Jinny Sims, Minister of Citizens' Services announced this morning in Prince George (March 8) that the government of B.C. is making the largest provincial investment in connectivity in the province's history with $50 million being spent to expand internet service for people living in close to 200 rural and Indigenous communities throughout B.C.
Starting in July of 2017, 417 communities, including 74 Indigenous communities, or nearly 43,000 households, have benefited from projects to improve high-speed internet through completed or underway projects.
"High-speed internet provides the foundation for British Columbians to access online learning and telehealth care, conduct business and be alerted in an emergency," Sims says. "Connectivity helps small communities grow and prosper by creating jobs, attracting new residents and enabling more young people to stay in their home towns and close to loved ones."
“Let me tell you: Every tradional resource sector, they all benefit from having high speed internet.” - @jinnysims @pgmatters #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/jC62AUbMau
— Jess Fedigan (@jj_fedigan) March 8, 2019
The Connecting British Columbia program is funded by the province and is administered by Northern Development Initiative Trust.
"This new funding demonstrates that the Province is deeply committed to expanding connectivity and improving the quality of life of people living in rural and Indigenous communities," Joel McKay, CEO, Northern Development Initiative Trust says. "Better access to high-speed internet helps close the digital divide between urban and remote areas and opens up countless opportunities for people throughout B.C."
.@NorthernDevelop @JoelCMcKay applaud the funding from @BCGovNews to invest in internet for rural and Indigenous communities #bcpoli @PGMatters pic.twitter.com/meODWcOYHC
— Jess Fedigan (@jj_fedigan) March 8, 2019
The Ministry of Citizens' Services helps communities proactively design new digital infrastructure in order to maximize the benefits of improved connectivity.
