The Alberta government will spend $390 million to get high-speed internet to rural and remote communities..Premier Jason Kenney said at a Wednesday news conference in Innisfail, the Alberta Broadband Strategy will create universal connectivity by 2027..“The strategy will get us close to 100% high-speed internet broadband coverage for people all around the province including rural, remote and indigenous communities,” said Kenney..The strategy will help remote Albertans access telehealth and education and create an estimated 1,500 jobs. Service Alberta Minister Nate Glubish said it will also “foster reconciliation efforts with First Nations and indigenous communities.”.The province estimates 489,000 Albertans living in 201,000 households lack access to federal target speeds of 50 megabits per second (Mbps) for downloads and 10 Mbps for uploads. About 80% of indigenous communities and 67% of rural and remote communities do not have access to reliable, high-speed internet..Glubish said the move “will enable all Albertans to participate in our economic recovery. From education to health care, and from agriculture to small business, connectivity will help Albertans interact with the global marketplace, innovate for local solutions and help diversify our economy.”.The strategy may need to include different technologies for more remote communities, including fixed wireless, and “low earth-orbit satellite technology,” said Glubish..Currently, none of Alberta’s Metis Settlements can access federal target speeds..Rural Municipalities of Alberta President Paul McLaughlin said access to good quality broadband is a problem in rural Alberta..“If you ever watch a Netflix movie, watching the spinning wheel and buffering is the most annoying thing on the planet,” said McLaughlin..Alberta Municipalities President Cathy Heron was also in attendance. She called access to the internet “not just a privilege anymore, but a basic human right.”.“Our geographically diverse federation of 116 chambers and their members know the constraints of operating a business with sub-optimal internet speeds,” said Heron..“Internet speed isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity for all businesses.”.Heron blasted Kenney Tuesday for setting a “dangerous precedent” after the premier said Municipal Government Act amendments may be in order to prevent municipalities from promoting separate public health bylaws..The $390 million Alberta Broadband Strategy includes $150 million committed by the province in 2021, matched by the federal government. Alberta is hoping to secure the remaining $240 million from the federal government..Amber Gosselin is a Western Standard reporter..agosselin@westernstandardonline.com
