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Government of Canada invests over $41 Million to bring improved Internet speeds to 93 communities in rural ManitobaUnderserved communities to benefit from increased connectivity OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 4, 2021 /CNW/ - The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how much we rely on our connections. Now more than ever, Canadians across the country need access to reliable high-speed Internet as many of us continue to work, learn, access essential services and stay in touch with friends and family from home. Right now, too many Canadians living in rural and remote communities lack access to high-speed Internet. Through the Connect to Innovate (CTI) program and the Rapid Response Stream of the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF), the Government of Canada is taking immediate action to get Canadians connected to the high-speed Internet they need. Today, the Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, announced over $41 million in federal funding through the CTI program and Rapid Response Stream (RRS) of the UBF for 11 projects to bring high-speed Internet to 93 communities across rural Manitoba. Through the four CTI projects, backbone infrastructure has the potential to improve Internet speeds for over 14,000 households. Through these seven RRS projects, 4,200 underserved households will be directly connected to broadband. Through the CTI program, the funding distribution and communities to be connected are as follows:
Through the Rapid Response Stream of the UBF, the funding distribution and communities to be connected are as follows:
The $2.75-billion UBF was launched in November 2020. Projects funded under the UBF, as well as through other public and private investments, will help connect 98% of Canadians to high-speed Internet by 2026 and achieve the national target of 100% connectivity by 2030. By 2023, the Government of Canada's $585-million Connect to Innovate program aims to improve high-speed Internet services in over 975 rural communities, including 190 Indigenous communities. Today's announcement builds on the progress the Government of Canada has already made to improve critical infrastructure in Manitoba. Since 2015, the federal government has invested more than $827 million in over 1632 infrastructure projects in Manitoba communities with a population of fewer than 100,000 people. These investments mean 169 km of new or upgraded roads that are making our communities safer; more than 293 projects to provide residents with cleaner, more sustainable sources of drinking water; and more than 827 additional housing units built in rural communities, helping ensure all Manitobans have a safe place to call home. Quotes "High-speed Internet service is essential to the success of everyone living and working in rural communities across Manitoba. Today's investment will bring reliable, high-speed broadband access to 93 communities in the province. This will help create jobs, improve access to health care and online learning services, and keep people connected to their family, friends and loved ones. Our government has committed $223 million to 22 broadband projects in Manitoba, which will connect over 91,000 more households to better, faster Internet. We will continue to make investments like these to help connect every Canadian to the high-speed Internet they need." – The Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development Quick facts
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Stay connected SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada 
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