Canada’s Federal Budget for 2019 announced on Tuesday afternoon includes a promise to provide high speed internet for every Canadian by 2030.
The government is pledging $5-6 billion in new investments in rural broadband over the next 10 years.
The budget calls high speed internet a necessity, not a luxury, and expresses the importance of connecting 100% of individuals, homes, and businesses to world wide web – especially those areas that are typically underserved, including rural, remote, and northern communities.
High-speed internet access is a necessity – not a luxury. A new national plan will ensure every Canadian home and small business, no matter where they are, will have access to high-speed internet by 2030.
— Bill Morneau (@Bill_Morneau) March 19, 2019
To achieve these goals, government funding will support several initiatives like securing advanced Low Earth Orbit satellite capacity to serve the most rural regions of Canada, and coordinating with provinces, territories, and federal arm’s-length institutions, such as the CRTC and its $750 million rural/remote broadband fund.
