The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The final piece of capital funding is now in place to install the infrastructure and deliver high-speed Internet access in 35 northern communities. The $11.6 million Northern Broadband Network (NBN) initiative has received final funding of $524,069 over two years under the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA). Federal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale, on behalf of the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport); Minister Responsible for SaskTel and Minister of First Nations and Mtis Relations Maynard Sonntag; and Prince Albert Grand Council Chief Gary Merasty, chair of NBN, announced the WEPA funding. The WEPA contribution builds on previously announced commitments of $3 million from Industry Canada's Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Program (BRAND), and $2 million from the Canada-Saskatchewan Northern Development Agreement. SaskTel won a competitive process to deliver the service to residential, commercial and institutional customers under the direction of the Northern Broadband Network. SaskTel will invest approximately $6.1 million in capital and operating costs. The 35 northern communities currently lack the infrastructure required for high-speed service. Representatives from Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC), Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC), and New North formed the non-profit Northern Broadband Network to develop and implement the Internet access project. Keewatin Career Development Corporation will provide technical advice to the NBN. "Regional and rural economic development is a part of the Government of Canada's overall economic strategy," Minister Goodale said. "That's why we're investing in the fundamentals such as skills upgrading, community development, and modern infrastructure like the broadband communications in northern Saskatchewan."
