Through a combined investment of $45.4 million, the Government of Canada, in partnership with the Government of British Columbia, is bringing new and improved high-speed internet
to 154 rural and remote communities, enabling residents to get online.
Local 213 signatory CityWest Cable and Telephone will receive a total of $12.4 million — $9.3 million from the federal government and $3.1 million from the Government of British Columbia — to
improve high-speed internet service for 23 communities and 97 institutions.
“This is very exciting news for our employees and shows the faith that the provincial and federal governments have in us” said CityWest CEO Chris Marett. “Projects like this secure the future for our highly skilled IBEW Local 213 members working for City- West,” said Robin Nedila, Local 213 assistant business manager representing members in cable and telecommunications. “Our telecommunications training department, NETCOM, offers the very best fiber optic training in the industry and we’re confident that our members will succeed in northern B.C.”
This investment will help residents of these communities connect with family and friends, do business online, participate in distance education and take advantage of the opportunities afforded by
the digital age. It will also help connect schools, hospitals, libraries and businesses to networks that are essential to their services.
“High-speed internet service is a basic tool that all Canadians should have access to, regardless of their postal code, said Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. “Thanks to our Connect to Innovate program, more Canadians will be able to participate fully in the digital economy.”
This investment includes new subsea fibre optic cable that will connect communities between Prince Rupert and Vancouver, as well as around Vancouver Island — a total of 3.5 million metres of cable. Thanks to this investment in high-capacity networks in remote and underserved communities, all British Columbians, including First Nations, will be able to fully participate in the digital economy.
— Todd Nickel, P.S., Local 213, Vancouver, BC