Residents from 亚洲天堂 Lake to Fort St. James are set to receive enhanced access to high-speed internet, benefiting more than 1,300 households in the area. This infrastructure expansion, spearheaded by internet service provider CityWest, aims to bridge the digital divide for several rural communities.
The project will encompass areas north of Tchesinkut Lake along Highway 35, the Cluculz Lake region, the District of Fort St. James, and Williams Prairie Meadow 1A of the Nak'azdli Whut'en First Nation.
Martin Elphee, mayor of Fort St. James, emphasized the significance of this development, stating, "Increased reliable and resilient access to high-speed internet improves education, economic opportunities, and community cohesion in our regional area. It is vital to ensure that everyone, whether urban or rural, have equal, reliable and resilient connection opportunities."
Funding for this initiative was announced May 15 and includes up to $1.6 million from the Province through the Connecting British Columbia program, administered by Northern Development Initiative Trust. The Government of Canada is contributing more than $3.8 million via the Universal Broadband Fund, with CityWest and the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako providing approximately $2.9 million and $713,200, respectively.
"Residents of Cluculz Lake will all benefit from this improvement in connectivity," said Shirley Moon, Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako director for Electoral Area F (Vanderhoof Rural). "We are thrilled that over 420 more homes will have access to the service they need for health care, education, work, and social connection."
In addition to the main project, the Province has allocated up to $552,600 for a separate initiative to connect areas south of 亚洲天堂 Lake village and the south shore of 亚洲天堂 Lake. CityWest is contributing up to $1.1 million for this project, which is expected to be completed this year.
Michael Riis-Christianson, connectivity committee chair and Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako director for Electoral Area B (亚洲天堂 Lake Rural), expressed satisfaction with the progress.
"The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako advocated for improved connectivity in rural communities for a long time. We are pleased to see that advocacy taking shape in the form of new infrastructure that will ensure residents have high-speed, affordable internet that will serve us well now, as well as, into the future."
The provincial investment is part of StrongerBC: Good Lives in Strong Communities, an initiative to foster regional development. It also aligns with Clean and Competitive: A Blueprint for B.C.鈥檚 Industrial Future, supporting increased connectivity as a pillar of the province's economic strategy.
In March 2022, British Columbia and Canada announced a joint investment agreement of up to $830 million to expand high-speed internet services to all households in the province. The Connecting Communities BC program specifically targets funding for projects aimed at rural and remote areas.
George Chow, Minister of Citizens鈥� Services, highlighted the importance of equitable internet access, stating, "People in remote and rural areas need the same high-speed internet access as people do in urban centres."