Federal government investing $1.75B to expand high-speed internet across Canada

Nov 9 2020, 3:57 pm

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his government is investing $1.75 billion to expand high-speed internet to communities across Canada.

On Monday, Trudeau said with the added need for better access to high-speed internet connection due to the pandemic, more people working from home, and students learning virtually, better infrastructure is needed.

The investment will connect 98% of Canadians across the country to high-speed internet by 2026, with the goal of connecting all Canadians by 2030.

“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.

“With today’s announcement, we are continuing to bring faster internet access to every part of our country, helping businesses grow, creating new jobs, and building a better Canada for everyone.”

The expansion for universal broadband was originally announced in the 2019 budget with the Universal Broadband Fund. Today’s announcement adds $750 million to that initial commitment.

The prime minister also announced an agreement of $600 million with Canadian satellite company Telesat to improve connectivity and expand high-speed internet coverage to the far north, rural, and remote regions across Canada, through low-earth-orbit satellite capacity.

Clarrie FeinsteinClarrie Feinstein

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