Governments of Canada and Alberta are working to eliminate the digital divide and connect 100% of Albertans to reliable high-speed Internet

March 9, 2022 – Edmonton, Alberta

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted that Canadians across the country need access to reliable high-speed Internet to work, do business, learn, and stay in touch with friends and family from home. That is why the governments of Canada and Alberta announced in December 2021 that they were providing up to $300 million in joint funding to connect rural Alberta communities to high-speed Internet. 

Today, the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, together with the Honourable Nate Glubish, Minister of Service Alberta, announced that the Government of Canada will bring its total funding commitment for connectivity in Alberta to up to $390 million.

The initial estimated cost to eliminate Alberta’s digital divide was $1 billion. Recognizing the potential to do more, and given the effectiveness of the two levels of government working together, they have increased their combined funding commitment to $780 million from the combined $300 million previously announced.

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.