Ottawa is promising to hook up more rural and remote areas of the country with high-speed internet from additional funding announced this week.
In Atlantic Canada, the Universal Broadband Fund will provide millions of dollars for towns, companies and Co-ops through the Atlantic Opportunities Agency.
There’s also a so called rapid response stream of cash to get projects going right away, given the importance and urgency of online connectivity in the midst of the global pandemic.
Federal economic development Minister Melanie Joly says she realizes the application process can seem daunting.
She says ACOA can provide simple one-stop assistance to avoid the red-tape maze that people sometimes experience when dealing with the Federal Government.
Joly says a total of $150 million is available for each proposal, adding Ottawa will also be working with big telecom companies to ensure their participation in getting the infrastructure in place in the more rural and remote areas in the province.
She says 98% of will be connected to high-speed by 2026, and 100% by 2030.
The deadline for applications for funding is next year in November.