CCSA Members from BC to Receive $10.21 Million to Extend Broadband Internet Services

Quispamsis (NB), March 15, 2018 - The Canadian Cable Systems Alliance (CCSA) congratulates CCSA members CityWest of Prince Rupert, BC and Gwaii Communications on Haida Gwaii, BC on being named as recipients of government funding to help extend broadband internet services in British Columbia.

This week, the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia announced they have jointly committed $38 million to help provide 33 BC communities, 13 of which are First Nations communities, with access to high-speed internet. Of that, CityWest will receive $4 million from the federal government and $1.93 million from the Government of British Columbia, and Gwaii Communications will receive $3.88 million from the federal government and $400 thousand from the Government of British Columbia to improve high-speed Internet service for 23 communities and 97 institutions.

“We welcome this new funding commitment from the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia as part of their respective Connect to Innovate and Connecting British Colombia programs,” said Jay Thomson, CEO of the CCSA. “We are particularly proud of the fact that two of our members, CityWest and Gwaii Communications, were selected to receive funding for these important projects,” continued Thomson. “Smaller, local companies throughout Canada have tremendous value to add in extending broadband services to rural areas because they best understand their communities’ needs.”

“Broadband connectivity is no longer a luxury and should be viewed as critical infrastructure that is on par with electricity and roads,” said Thomson. “We look forward to continuing to work with the government to ensure Canadians have access to broadband connectivity.”

ABOUT THE CCSA
The Canadian Cable Systems Alliance (CCSA) represents more than 110 Independent companies providing internet, TV & telephone services across Canada. Those companies serve hundreds of thousands of customers in communities generally outside urban markets, from coast to coast to coast. They include community cooperatives, family businesses, municipalities and companies owned by Indigenous Peoples. They connect hundreds of thousands of Canadians who otherwise might not have access to these critical communications services.

CONTACT

Cheryl Mangusso
Manager, Communications
CCSA
Phone: (506) 849-1334 ext. 217
Email: cmangusso@ccsa.cable.ca
Website: www.ccsa.cable.ca