Federal Government Pledges $1.75 billion for high-speed Internet

By: Laura Steiner

The federal government is investing $1.75 billion in connecting more Canadians to high-speed Internet.  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement in his daily press conference.

“Now more than ever, Canadians need reliable access to high-speed internet as we work, learn, and communicate with our family and friends from home,” Trudeau said.   The government is promising to connect 98% of Canadians across the country by 2026.

The investment worth $1 billion  was initially announced as part of the 2019 federal budget.  Today’s new $750 million investment is part of the Universal Broadband Fund initiative.  “Our investments will connect 1.7 million households to better internet and the Universal Broadband Fund will build on progress to date, placing Canada at the head of the pack globally for countries that are rapidly investing in their high-speed networks,” Rural Development Minister Maryam Monsef said.  The Universal Broadband fund looks to connect 400,000 additional households by 2023.

Trudeau also announced a $600 million agreement with a Canadian satellite company Telsat to improve connectivity, and high-speed Internet across the north.  “The agreement with Telesat will help unlock economic and social opportunities in Canada’s most rural and remote communities,” Innovation and Science Minister Navdeep Bains said.