Alberta and Canada expand partnership to improve access to high-speed Internet for Albertans

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted that rural Albertan's need access to reliable high-speed Internet to work, do business, learn, and stay in touch with friends and family from home. 

The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development says "we need to close this connection gap and ensure that every nook and cranny of Alberta has access to reliable high-speed Internet."

The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development

The governments of Canada and Alberta recognize the important role access to high-speed Internet will have in the economic recovery following the pandemic. Collaborating to provide better Internet services to Albertans living in rural, remote and Indigenous communities will help create jobs and contribute to the economic growth of the entire province.

As Alberta continues to rebuild from the pandemic, both governments continue to make investments in infrastructure to build strong communities and a more competitive and resilient province—and nation—for everyone. "The Government of Canada will continue to make investments like these to help connect every Canadian and achieve our national target of connecting 98 per cent of Canadians by 2026 and 100% by 2030.”

The governments of Canada and Alberta are increasing joint funding from $300 million to $780 million to connect households in rural, remote and Indigenous communities to high-speed Internet.