Last week the Manitoba Government announced that it came to an agreement with Xplornet Communications Inc. to provide over 125,000 unserved or underserved Manitobans with high-speed internet.
This will provide broadband services to nearly 30 First Nations, and 270 rural and northern communities in Manitoba.
Member of Parliament for Dauphin, Swan River, and Neepawa, Dan Mazier says it’s great news anytime there’s an announcement about improvements to internet access in rural areas.
“I think the pandemic has really highlighted the importance of how we’re going to do business in Canada today and into the future. I think the internet is here to stay and the more we can get online and start and interacting – especially in rural Canada the better. We need infrastructure for that though.”
Mazier has been pushing for broadband funds in the Parkland in Parliament for quite some time.
“As far as the universal broadband fund, I’ve been working very closely with the Parkland group on a very important project. I’ve been pushing in Ottawa, trying to get those funds secured here in the Parkland, and actually, we’re in the process of introducing legislation that will improve the quality of internet access as well, so stay tuned for that.”
Mazier says he applauds the province for stepping up and doing this for rural Manitoba.
A full list of communities receiving services can be found here.
