Speedy surfing: Province aims to improve internet speed for Alberta's rural communities
The UCP government has unveiled funding that will be used to increase the speed of internet service for rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
Officials say $150 million is being spent as part of the province's recovery plan and it will be used for building broadband expansion projects "as soon as possible."
Premier Jason Kenney said the funding announcement was to ensure the entire province could move ahead with its economic recovery.
"This investment ensures individuals, families and businesses in these parts of the province will not be left behind. It is Alberta's way of saying that we're ready to invest in this important technology and we're looking forward to working with our partners to make it a reality for those in Alberta who need it," he said in a statement.
The money will also create jobs, improve access to health care and education and build new economic opportunities in rural Alberta, says Service Alberta Minister Nate Glubish.
"Alberta's rural communities have struggled to grow and compete in a modern economy without access to reliable, high-speed internet," he said.
"This is great news for families, students and job creators all across the province."
The province says under the current system, 12 per cent of Alberta residents do not have access to target internet speeds set by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
That includes 80 per cent of Indigenous households and 67 per cent of rural households in Alberta.
Targets have been set by the CRTC to ensure every Canadian home and business has access to 50 Mbps download speeds and 10 Mbps upload speeds by 2030.
Details on the funding, including what communities or projects will be able to access it, will be announced in the coming weeks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump making 'joke' about Canada becoming 51st state is 'reassuring': Ambassador Hillman
Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. insists it’s a good sign U.S. president-elect Donald Trump feels 'comfortable' joking with Canadian officials, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Mexico president says Canada has a 'very serious' fentanyl problem
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is not escalating a war of words with Mexico, after the Mexican president criticized Canada's culture and its framing of border issues.
Quebec doctors who refuse to stay in public system for 5 years face $200K fine per day
Quebec's health minister has tabled a bill that would force new doctors trained in the province to spend the first five years of their careers working in Quebec's public health network.
Freeland says it was 'right choice' for her not to attend Mar-a-Lago dinner with Trump
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says it was 'the right choice' for her not to attend the surprise dinner with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on Friday night.
'Sleeping with the enemy': Mistrial in B.C. sex assault case over Crown dating paralegal
The B.C. Supreme Court has ordered a new trial for a man convicted of sexual assault after he learned his defence lawyer's paralegal was dating the Crown prosecutor during his trial.
Bad blood? Taylor Swift ticket dispute settled by B.C. tribunal
A B.C. woman and her daughter will be attending one of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour shows in Vancouver – but only after a tribunal intervened and settled a dispute among friends over tickets.
Eminem's mother Debbie Nelson, whose rocky relationship fuelled the rapper's lyrics, dies at age 69
Debbie Nelson, the mother of rapper Eminem whose rocky relationship with her son was known widely through his hit song lyrics, has died. She was 69.
NDP won't support Conservative non-confidence motion that quotes Singh
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he won't play Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's games by voting to bring down the government on an upcoming non-confidence motion.
Canadians warned to use caution in South Korea after martial law declared then lifted
Global Affairs Canada is warning Canadians in South Korea to avoid demonstrations and exercise caution after the country's president imposed an hours-long period of martial law.