Details

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 the North Central Local Government Association and UBCM write to 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.

Additional Information

UBCM Comments: The 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 (2011-B72, 2009-B57, 2006-B54, 2003-B35, 2002-B23).

In response to resolution 2011-B72, the provincial government highlighted a July 2011 agreement between the Province and TELUS, which in part aimed to improve internet connections to designated rural and remote communities by increasing bandwidth up to ten times the current speed. The Province also indicated that it was working with the private sector and other orders of government to provide every BC community with high-speed internet service within the next 10 years.