Broadband Canada: Connecting Rural Canadians

Broadband

Program Update

November 6, 2010 – The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, today announced details of the third round of projects conditionally approved for funding through the Broadband Canada: Connecting Rural Canadians program.

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As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, $225 million was provided to Industry Canada over three years to develop and implement a strategy to extend broadband coverage to as many unserved and underserved households as possible, beginning in 2009–2010. By far the biggest component of this strategy is the Broadband Canada: Connecting Rural Canadians program.

Broadband internet access is viewed as essential infrastructure for participating in today's economy, as it enables citizens, businesses and institutions to access information, services and opportunities that could otherwise be out of reach.