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By Omran Wahidy

Alberta and Ottawa to connect 10,000 homes with high-speed internet

Jul 11, 2023 | 2:13 PM

The governments of Alberta and Canada are partnering to invest more than $96 million to connect over 10,000 homes across the province to high-speed internet.

Although high-speed internet has become integral in day-to-day life, rural and remote parts of the province still have issues receiving reliable internet access.

The combined federal and provincial funding will deliver high-speed internet to more than 2,000 Indigenous households and more than 40 rural communities across Alberta. Construction work has started in 26 communities, with others to follow.

Nate Glubish, provincial minister of technology and innovation says, “Improving access to high-speed internet is the key to unlocking the potential in these communities across Alberta. I’m happy to note that construction work has begun in some communities. I look forward to continued work with the federal government to connect more communities until we achieve our goal of connecting every single Albertan to high-speed internet by 2027.”

This latest funding is part of Alberta’s joint commitment of $780 million with the federal government to improve access to high-speed internet in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.

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“This investment is a game-changer for rural Albertans and Indigenous communities. These investments in connectivity will ensure that thousands of households can access the tools and resources they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Access to reliable, high-speed internet will provide better education, health and economic opportunities, and will ensure that rural and Indigenous communities are full partners in Alberta’s growing economy,” says Gudie Hutchings, federal minister of rural economic development

The 26 communities that will benefit from ongoing construction work include:

• Salt Prairie
• Sunset House
• Enilda
• Joussard
• Kinuso
• Heart River
• Gull Lake South
• Rimbey
• Viewmar Estates
• Bluffton
• Brocket (Piikani Nation)
• Rainbow Lake
• Brant
• Kirkcaldy
• Cayley
• Carmangay
• Champion
• Ensign
• Herronton
• Little Bow Resort
• Mossleigh
• Queenstown
• Travers
• Vulcan
• Lake McGregor Country Estates
• Milo

Under Budget 2023, the province has invested $369 million over three years to support underserved communities.