B.C. funds improved internet service for Haida Gwaii, Texada Island
Faster and more reliable internet service is coming to Haida Gwaii and Texada Island due in part to a B.C. government grant program.
The province says it will provide more than $200,000 to the Gillies Bay Internet Society on Texada Island to improve internet speeds and reliability. The society is a non-profit internet provider run by local volunteers to bring wireless internet access to Texada Island.
"People in Gillies Bay on Texada Island will see improved internet speeds, thanks to the work of volunteers in their own community," said Lisa Beare, Minister of Citizens’ Services, in a statement Thursday.
"This project, supported by a grant from the Connecting British Columbia program, is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when communities, service providers, the province and people volunteering their time are all driven and working together to improve people’s lives," Beare added.
Society chairman Brian Seymour says the island has become popular with people looking to move out of cities.
"However, people only want to move to locations with fast, reliable internet, so that they can work from home or start an online business," Seymour said. "The ability to function online is also essential for remote schooling, shopping and for staying connected with family and friends."
The Texada Island internet improvement project is expected to be completed this fall with faster, more reliable connectivity by the end of October.
Two projects on Haida Gwaii will received more than $850,000 combined to improve internet connections in the communities of Tow Hill, Tlell, Nadu and Dead Tree Point.
"When you improve internet services in a community, you also improve the lives of the people who live there," said Stefan Woloszyn, CEO of internet provider CityWest, which is leading both projects. "The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of solid and reliable internet services, especially in rural and remote communities, and we’re looking forward to serving customers on Haida Gwaii."
This funding for the Connecting British Columbia program is part of the province's $10-billion COVID-19 response.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.