Securing 10,000 Alberta homes to high-speed internet
Press Release
Jul 11, 2023
The governments of Alberta and Canada are partnering to invest more than $96 million to connect over 10,000 homes across the province to high-speed internet.
High-speed internet has become a daily necessity, yet Albertans in rural and remote parts of the province still have issues receiving reliable internet access. From education to health care and agriculture to small business, connectivity will help Albertans interact with the global marketplace, innovate for location solutions and help diversify Alberta’s economy.
The combined federal and provincial funding will deliver high-speed internet to more than 2,000 Indigenous households and more than 40 rural communities across Alberta. Construction work has started in 26 communities, with others to follow.
“Improving access to high-speed internet is the key to unlocking the potential in these communities across Alberta. I’m happy to note that construction work has begun in some communities. I look forward to continued work with the federal government to connect more communities until we achieve our goal of connecting every single Albertan to high-speed internet by 2027.”
Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation
This latest funding allocation is part of Alberta’s historic joint commitment of $780 million with the federal government to improve access to high-speed internet in rural, remote and Indigenous communities. In September 2022, Alberta’s government joined the federal government in announcing $70.6 million to connect 10,000 Alberta households, bringing Alberta families and communities closer to being able to rely on stable internet connectivity.
“This investment is a game-changer for rural Albertans and Indigenous communities. These investments in connectivity will ensure that thousands of households can access the tools and resources they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Access to reliable, high-speed internet will provide better education, health and economic opportunities, and will ensure that rural and Indigenous communities are full partners in Alberta’s growing economy.”
Gudie Hutchings, Federal Minister of Rural Economic Development
Under Budget 2023, Alberta’s government invested $369 million over three years to support underserved communities.
These projects will not only bring improved internet access but will also help continue Alberta’s economic momentum by creating jobs and injecting money into Alberta’s economy.
Quick facts
- The 26 communities that will benefit from ongoing construction work include:
- Salt Prairie
- Sunset House
- Enilda
- Joussard
- Kinuso
- Heart River
- Gull Lake South
- Rimbey
- Viewmar Estates
- Bluffton
- Brocket (Piikani Nation)
- Rainbow Lake
- Brant
- Kirkcaldy
- Cayley
- Carmangay
- Champion
- Ensign
- Herronton
- Little Bow Resort
- Mossleigh
- Queenstown
- Travers
- Vulcan
- Lake McGregor Country Estates
- Milo
- Within three years of achieving universal coverage and adoption of services, the following economic outcomes are expected:
- Up to $1.7 billion in annual GDP growth.
- Up to five per cent GDP growth in the agricultural sector resulting from adoption of agricultural technologies.
- Up to 40,000 Albertans without access to a primary health-care provider may have improved access to telehealth, and the cost to deliver those services will be reduced.
- More than 120,000 students will have improved access to remote education.
Related information
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