An initiative to provide high-speed internet access to more than 100 remote and rural communities in Manitoba, including 18 in remote regions of the province’s north, is receiving up to $20 million in funding and in-kind contributions from the provincial government as well as Crown corporation Manitoba Hydro, Premier Brian Pallister announced Jan. 9.
“There is tremendous potential in Northern Manitoba. Developing that potential is a priority of our provincial government and to do that we need the tools to maximize our opportunities,” said Pallister. “This exciting project to increase and deliver reliable access to broadband networks is key to unlocking the potential of our remote northern communities. This enhanced service will create economic opportunities for individuals, businesses and communities, and improve the health and quality of life of all residents across this vast region.”
The initiative is part of the federal government’s five-year $500-million Connect to Innovate program to enhance high-speed internet access in remote and rural areas by building digital backbone networks that move data in and out of communities as well as last-mile connections for households without high-speed internet. The federal government is contributing about $33.5 million of the total project cost of $84 million in Manitoba to Clear Sky Communications, a Manitoba First Nations owned and operated internet service provider to provide better internet for 72 communities, about half of which are First Nations, with $10.3 million going to Valley Fiber Limited to improve internet access for 27 communities, $2.7 million to Bell MTS to improve internet service to eight communities and $673,000 to Broadband Communications North for connectivity upgrades to six communities, five of which are First Nations.
“Access to high-speed Internet is not a luxury; it’s essential,” said federal Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains. “High-speed Internet service is a basic tool that all Canadians should have access to, regardless of their postal code. Canadians need this service to do business, upgrade their education and build stronger communities. Thanks to our Connect to Innovate program, more Canadians will be able to participate fully in the digital economy.”
Clear Sky Communications is the for-profit arm of Clear Sky Connections, which grew out of the Manitoba First Nations Technology Council’s Manitoba First Nations Network of the Future Initiative to bring high-speed internet to all Manitoba First Nations. The Clear Sky Communications project, a partnership with RFNOW Inc., will give Northern Manitoba First Nations the chance to own, operate and control their own broadband networks.
“This is a remarkable day for us and for Manitoba First Nations,” said Chief Nelson Genaille of Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, chairperson of Clear Sky Connections. “A goal will now become reality: to see enhanced access to high-speed internet and the opportunities and services that come with improved internet services. We look forward to the continued work to build a faster, reliable network for First Nations in Manitoba.”
“The opportunities are endless with access to technology,” said Clear Sky Connections vice-chairperson Fisher River Chief David Crate. “In turn, we look forward to seeing improvements in many areas of life in our communities. Online businesses, enhanced access to health services such as telehealth, to students and teachers being able to download the needed software for their new school tools. There are so many ways increasing our access to high-speed internet can improve ways we live and go about our business. We look forward to making this reality.”
“The strategic partnership we have formed with First Nation leaders and Clear Sky Connections will allow us to ensure Manitoba communities will all be afforded the benefit of high-speed communication technologies which will help contribute to improved health care, education as well as new economic opportunities,” said RFNOW Inc. CEO Scott Andrew. “The shared vision and support of the federal and Manitoba governments’ will make this a reality for First Nations and Manitoba.”
Improving connectivity in Manitoba is also receiving $3.5 million from Indigenous Services Canada. Almost 50 of the communities being connected in Manitoba are First Nations.
“This investment in high-speed internet will provide significant improvements in access to educational, health, social and economic resources for so many communities in Manitoba, including 48 First Nations communities, of which 18 are in remote regions,” said federal Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott. “I am pleased to see that these investments also include First Nations partners and owners that will support the building of these much-needed networks and provide the opportunity for some communities to own, operate and control their own broadband networks.”
Manitoba’s contribution includes the value of Manitoba Hydro allowing Clear Sky Communications use of the Crown corporation’s existing fibre-optic cable network and other assets. The communities included in the project will have 10-gigabit ethernet fibre connections, which, once complete, will provide them – and 88 institutions within them – comparable high-speed internet to that in southern communities.
Also supporting the project are a $7.5 million contribution by Clear Sky Communications and $1 million contributions from Wawanesa Mutual Insurance and the Winnipeg Foundation.
“By providing access to capacity on our existing fibre network, we are helping to facilitate bringing broadband high-speed communications and internet – and the enhanced economic and educational opportunities that brings – to even more Manitobans,” said Manitoba Hydro CEO Kelvin Shepherd. “This is a great way to leverage our existing infrastructure without incremental costs to our customers.”
Access to a high-speed internet was identified as a priority by all of the communities consulted by the Look North task force prior to the release of their action plan for the northern economy last October.
“The Look North Report and Action Plan includes priority areas to focus on in order to build a robust and sustainable economic future in Northern Manitoba, and high-speed internet is one of these areas,” said Indigenous and Northern Relations Minister Eileen Clarke. “We are pleased to partner with the federal government on this project which will help modernize and transform the economic future of the region.”
“Our government believes in the potential of Northern Manitoba,” said Thompson MLA Kelly Bindle. “This major investment will go a long way to meeting this need and improving the quality of life in the rural and remote communities of Northern Manitoba.”
