By MLA Jackie Tegart, Fraser-Nicola
One of the highlights of the 2015 budget unveiled last month was our commitment to bring high-speed Internet connectivity to more people in rural and remote areas of B.C.
In fact, our goal is to see every British Columbian, no matter where they live, have access to high-speed Internet by 2021, and we will work with other levels of government and the private sector to make this happen.
Under our 10-year, $1-billion agreement with Telus, we have already seen bandwidth upgrades in the Fraser-Nicola communities of Clinton, Lytton and Gold Bridge.
We are also continuing to connect B.C.’s First Nations at a steady pace. To date, 184 of B.C.’s 203 First Nations communities now have access to broadband infrastructure and we are working to see all 203 connected by the end of fiscal year 2016-17.
In the Merritt area to date, the Upper Nicola, Lower Nicola, Nooaitch and Shackan First Nations have Internet connectivity.
This is made possible through Pathways to Technology, a $48.8-million federal-provincial project designed specifically to connect First Nations communities to the Internet.
Connecting people in rural and remote areas to high-speed Internet service helps level the playing field with people in urban areas.
What does high-speed Internet access mean to people in rural and remote areas? Not only does it connect families, but it also improves access to educational opportunities and health-care services, creates jobs, and expands markets for businesses – connecting local firms to domestic, national and global customers.
Our government believes all residents of Fraser-Nicola should be able to share the rich potential for economic, educational and social benefits high-speed Internet access can bring. And rest assured, we are going to make it happen.
