NDP MLA Melanie Mark says new infrastructure funding a boost for community services

NDP MLA Michele Babchuk says high-speed internet on its way to people in Alert Bay and Mitchell Bay

March 4, 2024 at 4:44 pm  Politics, Provincial

ALERT BAY – New Democrat MLA Michele Babchuk says people living in Alert Bay and Mitchell Bay will be able to unlock new possibilities with a $3.7 million joint provincial and federal investment to bring high-speed broadband internet access to nearly 900 homes.

“On remote islands like Cormorant and Sointula, connectivity isn’t just about convenience, but is a vital necessity. Connectivity means access to essential services, emergency assistance, and making sure that our rural communities don’t get left behind,” says Michele Babchuk, MLA for North Island. “This service will make life easier for people in my riding, and it’s great to see different levels of government come together for this funding.”

In Alert Bay, the provincial government is providing $461,045 and the federal government providing $1,426,020, for a project that will connect 590 homes. In the community of Mitchell Bay, the provincial government is providing $230,346 and the federal government providing $1,623,988 for a project that will connect 304 homes.

The projects, to be built and operated by CityWest, will provide faster broadband speeds for people and provide improved access to digital services, educational resources and economic opportunities.

The federal and provincial funding commitments made today are part of an existing agreement between the governments of Canada and British Columbia. In March 2022, both governments announced a historic partnership to invest up to $830 million to connect households in all remaining rural, remote and Indigenous communities throughout the province to high-speed internet.

Since 2017, the BC New Democrat government has invested $584 million in connectivity projects in the province.

 

Learn More: https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2024/03/governments-of-canada-and-british-columbia-working-together-to-bring-high-speed-internet-to-more-than-7500-households.html

View the full article from the original source

No conversations yet

Activity Stream

Sat, Nov 2, 2024 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Across Greenstone Mountain – KamloopsTrails
Thu, Oct 31, 2024 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Nature-directed stewardship is good for cities and living things
Tue, Oct 29, 2024 at 3:32 pm - Darryl Schmidt posted on their blog: Is the BC NDP Ignoring the Interior?
Tue, Oct 29, 2024 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Lower Rose Trails – KamloopsTrails
Fri, Oct 25, 2024 at 12:36 pm - Darryl Schmidt posted on their blog: Is Privatization the Best Path Forward?
Fri, Oct 25, 2024 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: A Hidden Homesteads Hike – KamloopsTrails
Thu, Oct 24, 2024 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: War and climate change fuel a survival-threatening cycle
Mon, Oct 21, 2024 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Zoa Peak Hike – KamloopsTrails
Thu, Oct 17, 2024 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Sugarloaf (Lundbom) Hike – KamloopsTrails
Thu, Oct 17, 2024 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Politicians pour fuel on an overheating planet
Full Stream