More than $84 million in funding from the federal and B.C. governments will go toward expanding high-speed internet access in rural and Indigenous communities across the province.
The joint announcement, made Monday by federal Secretary of State for Rural Development Buckley Belanger and B.C. Citizens’ Services Minister Diana Gibson, includes over $77 million for 15 broadband projects reaching more than 6,900 households — including over 1,200 Indigenous homes.
An additional $7 million from Ottawa will support three more projects to bring high-speed internet to 727 households in Spallumcheen, including the Splatsin First Nation, and Hullcar. The investment will also fund mobile connectivity along more than 120 kilometres of road.
The projects will be carried out by the City of Prince Rupert’s CityWest Cable & Telephone Corp. and Telus.
The funding is part of a broader agreement between the two governments under the Connecting Communities BC program, first announced in 2022. The joint initiative aims to invest up to $830 million to bring high-speed internet to all remaining rural, remote, and Indigenous communities in the province.
“In today’s day and age, every corner of British Columbia should have access to reliable, affordable high-speed Internet,” said Belanger. “Today’s announcement is a major milestone.”
Gibson added: “This is about giving people the tools they need to succeed in a digital world, no matter where they live.”
“Telus is proud to be a trusted partner to Canada’s federal and provincial governments for nation-building projects like this broadband and wireless expansion, reinforcing our long-standing commitment to making investments that strengthen communities,” said Jill Schnarr, Chief Communications and Brand Officer of Telus.
The federal portion of the funding comes from the Universal Broadband Fund, which also includes money for mobile projects focused on Indigenous communities. Ottawa says it’s on track to connect 98% of Canadians to high-speed internet by 2026, and 100% by 2030.
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