The Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and MP for Long Range Mountains, today announced a historic collaboration that will provide up to $136 million to connect all remaining rural households in Newfoundland and Labrador to reliable, high-speed Internet.
Up to $116 million of this funding comes from the Government of Canada, through its Universal Broadband Fund, and up to $20 million in funding comes from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Through this collaboration, both governments will work with internet service providers to achieve the national target of connecting 98 percent of Canadians by 2026, and 100 percent by 2030.
The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador recognize the important role access to high-speed internet will have in the economic recovery following the pandemic. Collaborating to provide better internet services to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador living in rural, remote, and northern communities will help create jobs and contribute to the economic growth of the entire province.
Quotes
“An investment in broadband is an investment in communities. It spurs economic growth and improves access to a range of services, from health care to educational opportunities. In my travels around the province, the need for reliable broadband is often raised by residents and community leaders – and our government has been committed to addressing it. I acknowledge the Federal Government, specifically Minister Hutchings, and the commitment to close the connectivity gap throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“We need to close this connection gap and ensure that every nook and cranny of Newfoundland and Labrador has access to reliable high-speed Internet – from Red Bay in Labrador to Tizzard’s Harbour, from Salvage to Cape Broyle, or from Wabana to right here in my backyard of Humber Valley. That’s why today’s collaboration to invest up to $136 million to connect all remaining rural households in the province is a historic milestone for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The Government of Canada will continue to make investments like these to help connect every Canadian and achieve our national target of connecting 98 percent of Canadians by 2026 and 100 percent by 2030.”
Honourable Gudie Hutchings
Minister of Rural Economic Development and MP for Long Range Mountains
– 30 –
Learn more
Canada’s Connectivity Strategy
Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @IET_GovNL
Media contacts
Meghan McCabe
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
meghanmccabe@gov.nl.ca
Luka Vujic
Office of the Minister of Rural Economic Development
343-571-9582
luka.vujic@ised-isde.gc.ca
Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
media@ised-isde.gc.ca
Eric Humber
Industry, Energy and Technology
709-725-5777, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca