Press Release
New 777 km fibre line from Dawson City to Inuvik will strengthen Internet connection across the North
June 20, 2018 – Whitehorse, Yukon
Residents of Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and northern British Columbia will be able to connect more reliably with friends and family across Canada and around the world, participate in distance education, seize new business opportunities and search for jobs online. This is made possible thanks to investments in high-speed Internet worth up to $79 million by the Government of Canada, the Government of Yukon and Northwestel.
The project will benefit communities, including 63 Indigenous communities, in Yukon, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and northern British Columbia. Funding was announced today by the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, together with the Honourable Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon, and the Honourable Ranj Pillai, Yukon Minister of Economic Development.
Funding will be used to build a 777-kilometre-long fibre network between Dawson City, Yukon, and Inuvik, Northwest Territories. This new fibre network line will also help close the 4,000-kilometre-long Canada North Fibre Loop to ensure a more robust Internet service in northern communities. Currently, a cut to the existing fibre network can affect Internet service to hospitals and debit and credit machines in retail stores. Construction of this new line will significantly reduce the risk of Internet service interruptions throughout this vast region.
Funding is being provided by the following partners:
The federal funding aligns with the Government’s Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs and ensure Canadians have the skills to succeed.
The Government of Canada’s $500-million Connect to Innovate program is investing in building the digital backbone of high-speed Internet networks. Backbone networks are the digital highways that move data in and out of communities. These highways carry large amounts of data that are essential for schools, hospitals, libraries and businesses to function in a digital world.
Quotes
“Access to high-speed Internet is not a luxury; it’s essential. High-speed Internet service is a basic tool that all Canadians should have access to, regardless of where they live. Our communities need this service to do business, upgrade their education and build stronger communities. Thanks to our Connect to Innovate program, more people will be able to participate fully in the digital economy.”
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
“The Government of Canada’s ongoing investments in broadband infrastructure are improving connectivity in remote communities across the country. By providing better access to a wider variety of online tools and resources, we are increasing the potential for economic growth and diversification in northern Canada, not to mention enhancing residents’ quality of life.”
– The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
“Reliable telecommunications are vital to diversifying our economy and will help Yukoners and northern residents participate fully in the digital economy. Stable Internet can also attract increased investment in the territory, creating jobs and other opportunities. Most of all, dependable high-speed Internet can open up new economic and social possibilities for Yukoners and support healthy, vibrant and sustainable communities.”
– The Honourable Ranj Pillai, Yukon Minister of Economic Development
Quick facts
Associated links
Contacts
Mallory Clyne
Director of Communications
mallory.clyne@canada.ca
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
343-291-2500
Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca
Kate Monfette
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-301-0894
kate.monfette@canada.ca
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca
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