Internet efforts need more focus
Lack of high-speed internet was already an impediment for many Canadians not living in urban areas. The pandemic has only made the divisions between the country’s digital haves and have-nots that much starker, as public health restrictions have forced many more people to work from home.
So recent news that more federal government money will be going toward extending high-speed internet service to remote and rural communities throughout the country is, of course, welcome.
But concerns remain about Ottawa’s fragmented approach to ensuring broadband access for all Canadians.
Last week, the Liberal government announced it was putting another $750 million into its $1-billion Universal Broadband Fund, including $150 million in a rapid response stream for shovel-ready projects that could be completed by November 2021.
The fund is to be used to subsidize the cost of building networks in areas of low population where it’s understandably tougher for telecoms to justify big investments.
The UBF was part of the $5-billion to $6-billion commitment the Liberals made in their 2019 budget that promised that 100 per cent of Canadians would have access to broadband internet services by 2030.
That same document set a target of 95 per cent of Canadians having such access by 2026. With this latest infusion of cash, Ottawa has now upped the 2026 goal to 98 per cent.
The figure is currently around 86 per cent. Federal Economic Development Minister Melanie Joly said funds will flow through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency in this region. ACOA will help Atlantic regional projects navigate any red tape, she said.
It’s understandable why it might be confusing. There is now a swath of different federal (and some provincial) programs involved in assisting the extension of broadband internet services to Canada’s remotest and most rural communities.
That includes $2 billion in funding for such projects through the Canada Infrastructure Bank, Ottawa’s $585-million Connect to Innovate program through Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and the CRTC’s $750-million Broadband Fund.
Ottawa has also announced a $600 million agreement with Telesat for satellite capacity to expand high-speed internet, and improve connectivity, in rural and remote parts of Canada.
It’s little wonder that critics like John Lawford, executive director and general counsel of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, have slammed the federal government for an unco-ordinated, piecemeal approach and called for one authority to be appointed to oversee these various efforts.
Lawford makes a reasonable point.
The other, unanswered question concerns affordability. Broadband services in remote and rural areas are often relatively expensive, which can also limit usage.
The situation is improving, but Ottawa needs to sharpen its focus even further to ensure all Canadians have access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet.