High-Speed Internet Coming to Rural Manitoba

News Release

MP Robert Sopuck announces major investment targeting nearly 10,000 homes in the Parkland region for fast, reliable Internet services

July 29, 2015 – Dauphin, Manitoba – Industry Canada

Everyday tasks that were once done in person, such as shopping, communicating, learning and banking, are now done online. To help Canadians have better access to these and many other online opportunities, Robert Sopuck, Member of Parliament for Dauphin–Swan River–Marquette, on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Industry, today announced the Government of Canada's investment in Manitoba NetSet for high-speed Internet services targeting nearly 10,000 homes in the Dauphin–Swan River–Marquette area.

Under the Connecting Canadians program, Manitoba NetSet will receive up to $9.9 million to provide high-speed Internet services to up to 48,000 households across Manitoba. The broadband infrastructure project is expected to be completed by the end of 2017, delivering Internet speeds of at least five megabits per second (Mbps).

For Canadians who live in communities with slow or no Internet, access to high-speed services will lead to new economic opportunities and the creation of new jobs, products and services.

By Canada's 150th birthday in 2017, over 98 percent of Canadian households will be able to subscribe to new or improved high-speed Internet services, delivering on the Government's commitment to rural Canadians.

Quick facts

Under the Connecting Canadians program, Manitoba NetSet will receive up to $9.9 million to provide high-speed Internet services to up to 48,000 households across Manitoba, including nearly 10,000 households in the following communities in the Parkland region:
Alonsa, Benito, Binscarth, Birtle, Bowsman, Clanwilliam, Erickson, Gladstone, Glenella, Hamiota, Harrison, Keeseekoowenin 61, Lakeview, Langford, Lansdowne, Lawrence, McCreary, Minitonas, Minnedosa, Minto, Neepawa, Odanah, Rosedale, Rossburn, Russell, Sandy Bay 5, Shellmouth-Boulton, Shoal Lake, Silver Creek, Strathclair, Swan River, Waywayseecappo First Nation and Westbourne.
Through Economic Action Plan 2014, the Government of Canada created the Connecting Canadians program, backed by a $305-million commitment to connect an additional 280,000 households in rural and remote regions of the country to high-speed Internet services at minimum speeds of 5 Mbps.
The Government has exceeded its Economic Action Plan 2014 target by over 75,000 households in the first round of project approvals, bringing high-speed Internet access to more than 356,000 homes across Canada, and nearly 40 percent under budget.
Last summer, the Government invited Canadians to provide feedback online to help better determine areas in need of high-speed Internet access. Once information was received, Industry Canada invited Internet service providers to submit proposals for funding under Connecting Canadians to build the wireless or wired infrastructure that will provide services to rural and remote communities in need.
The first projects are expected to be completed by the time Canada celebrates the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.
Industry Canada received over 300 applications to the Connecting Canadians program from Internet service providers across Canada.
Every province and territory across the country will benefit from the Connecting Canadians program. Announcements of individual projects will be made throughout the summer.

Quotes

"The announcement marks the next important phase in our plan to bring the benefits of high-speed Internet to more than 280,000 Canadian households, including in rural Manitoba. Providing Canadians with access to high-speed Internet for learning, business opportunities and so much more is key to creating a more connected, digital Canada."
– James Moore, Minister of Industry

"Today's high-speed Internet announcement is great news for the Westman and Parkland areas of Manitoba. We live in an increasingly connected world where access to the Internet is essential for participating in today's digital economy. It helps create jobs, provide economic opportunities, and link residents and local businesses to online services as well as far-off family members and friends. Providing better access to high-speed Internet has been a top priority of mine, and I will always stand up for our rural communities and the many unique challenges they face. By working together, we are getting results for Manitobans."
– Robert Sopuck, Member of Parliament for Dauphin–Swan River–Marquette

"NetSet Communications is proud of our rural roots and ability to provide fast, reliable, interference-free Internet to the residents and businesses of Manitoba. With this funding, we will be able to provide more residents and businesses across Manitoba with faster speeds than available today. The speed and reliability of Internet has an impact on every person and community—from health care, education, agriculture and economic development to the simple joys of witnessing a child take their first big step from around the world."
– Robbie Zetariuk, Director of Marketing and Dealer Development, NetSet Communications

Associated link

Connecting Canadians website

Contacts

Jake Enwright
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Industry
343-291-2500

Media Relations
Industry Canada
343-291-1777
media-relations@ic.gc.ca

Search for related information by keyword

Hon. James Moore Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Economics and Industry

Page details

Date modified:: 2015-07-29

We have archived this page and will not be updating it.

We have archived this page and will not be updating it.

High-Speed Internet Coming to Rural Manitoba

News Release

Page details