WHEREAS the delivery of health and education services in northern remote communities is impaired by the lack of connectivity; AND WHEREAS specifically, services such as tele-health and distance education are vital, cost-efficient services significantly contributing to northern development: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM write the federal Minister of Industry and BC Minister of Citizens Services and Open Government seeking a renewed and highest priority commitment to the expansion of broadband technology in northern British Columbia.
Ministry of Citizens Services Open Government This government is committed to bridging the digital divide in BC. Access to high-speed Internet service brings economic and educational opportunities for communities, individuals and families. Through partnerships with industry like the 10-year contract with TELUS and programs like the BC Broadband Satellite Initiative, connecting British Columbians continues. 93 percent of British Columbians have access to broadband service; our goal is to reach 100 percent across the Province by 2021. UBCM membership has consistently endorsed resolutions calling on the provincial and federal governments to ensure the availability of broadband Internet service for all communities in BC. The government indicated that it was working with the private sector and other orders of government to provide all citizens with access to high speed Internet service within the next 10 years. The government remains committed to reaching this goal. BC is one of the most connected jurisdictions in the world. Currently 93 percent of British Columbians have access to broadband or high-speed Internet service. The 10-year Connecting British Columbia Agreement signed in July, 2011, with TELUS includes a commitment to expand broadband service coverage in BC that will reach 97 percent. The remaining three percent will be reached through other means, including partnerships with local community Internet service providers, local governments and new programs such as a new broadband satellite initiative to be launched later in 2013.
Minister of Industry Canadian consumers, including those in northern British Columbia, deserve more choice and competitive prices for their broadband services. The 2013 Speech from the Throne outlined our commitment to continue enhancing high-speed broadband networks for rural Canadians. Our policy decisions have been designed to promote competition, investment and better services to rural communities. As competition and technology evolve, advanced wireless networks and new high-throughput satellites are expected to provide Canadians in rural and remote areas with faster Internet speeds and higher-quality services. In rural and northern communities, many private sector companies have decided it is not in their interests to deliver broadband Internet services. That is why our government has acted with targeted assistance to extend broadband to unserved areas. For example, in 2009, our government implemented a strategy to extend broadband coverage at speeds of 1.5 megabits per second to as many unserved households as possible. The Broadband Canada: Connecting Rural Canadians program extended broadband coverage to 218,000 previously unserved Canadian households. Economic Action Plan 2013 builds on our governments commitment to increase broadband service to Canadians. Broadband and connectivity are eligible categories under the 10-billion provincial-territorial infrastructure component of the new Building Canada Plan. Economic Action Plan 2013 also announced the expansion of eligible projects under the Gas Tax Fund to include broadband and connectivity. There is also the 1.25-billion renewal of the P3 Canada Fund to build infrastructure projects through public-private partnerships. Additional spectrum is being made available to meet the rapidly growing demand for high-speed wireless services. The government is applying specific measures in the 700 MHz spectrum auction so that Canadians in rural areas have access to advanced wireless services in a timely manner. For example, this spectrum will help telecom companies bring the latest 4G Long-Term Evolution mobile networks to Canadian consumers and businesses, including those in rural areas. Our government has taken further steps to help deliver additional broadband services to rural consumers. Beginning in March 2014, 2300 MHz and 3500 MHz spectrum licences currently held by telecommunications providers will be subject to renewal. Licences in the 2300 MHz range were designated for mobile use, while 3500 MHz spectrum licences contained conditions requiring that the spectrum be used for fixed wireless access. This type of service represents the most affordable high-speed Internet access for many rural Canadians. I have made it clear that our government will only renew spectrum licences for providers that have met all of their licence conditions. Those that have not used the spectrum will lose it so that companies wanting to invest in rural wireless services can do so. This means Canadians will benefit from additional quality spectrum being deployed across the country, which will lead to dependable high-speed Internet services on the latest technologies at the best prices. Our government will continue to deliver strong telecommunications infrastructure for Canadians in rural areas.