Lisa Beare, B.C.’s Minister of Citizens’ Services, announced a commitment of as much as $9.8 million in combined federal and provincial funding that will improve internet connectivity for approximately 1,600 households in Chetwynd.
This is part of a $24-million joint commitment to improve connectivity throughout northern B.C.
“Through our strong partnership with the federal government, we continue to make steady progress in closing the remaining connectivity gaps in the province, bringing us closer to our goal of connecting every B.C. household by 2027,” said Beare. “Through our StrongerBC Economic Plan, we are committed to ensuring everyone in the province has an equal opportunity for success and has access to high-speed internet.”
The joint funding commitment of $24 million is part of an agreement between the governments of British Columbia and Canada. On March 8, 2022, the parties announced a historic partnership to invest as much as $830 million to connect every British Columbian in rural, remote and Indigenous communities with high-speed internet. The first announcement of $108 million was made on May 19, 2022, and will improve internet access for as many as 4,000 households in northern B.C. Internet service provider Telus Communications Inc. will receive as much as $9.8 million to install new fibre-optic technology in Chetwynd for Dokie Siding, Twidwell Bend and Wabi Hill.
Connecting Communities BC is the next phase of the Province’s connectivity program and is a key component of the StrongerBC Economic Plan. These investments will contribute to ensuring communities and businesses in B.C. have the connectivity they need to succeed in a post-pandemic economy.
