January 3, 2018
Today, Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced that the federal government will invest $10.2 million to build a fibre network and increase broadband capacity in communities from Cartwright to Lanse au Clair. MP Jones was joined by the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Member of the House of Assembly for Cartwright L’Anse Au Clair, Andy Turnbull, Chief Executive Officer of Nunacor Development Corporation, and representatives of NunatuKavut and the Labrador Shrimp Company in Port Hope Simpson to announce the joint investment to the Labrador South Fibre Build totaling over $12.5 million.
Of the $12.5 million invested in the Labrador South Fibre Build project:
The Labrador South Fibre Build is the largest broadband enhancement project financed in Atlantic Canada under the Connecting Canada Program. The Labrador South Fibre line is also the largest remaining internet project to be completed in Labrador.
The project will enhance fibre facilities in Flower’s Cove, building on the network across the Strait of Bell Isle to enhance and expand the fiber line to Charlottetown. It will provide expanded capacity in the Labrador Straits communities from Lanse au Clair to Red Bay, including Forteau, Lanse au Loup, Capstan Island, West St Modeste, Pinware and Red Bay and backbone Fiber connectivity for Lodge Bay, Mary’s Harbour, Port Hope Simpson and Charlottetown. Additionally, new high capacity Ethernet radios will be installed to serve the communities of St. Lewis and Cartwright. Internet capacity will be enhanced to 1Gbps to be shared by the customers in each community. Today, the maximum bandwidth available for internet in any of these communities is 75Mbps.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada has placed a high priority on connecting rural Canada. Therefore regions like Labrador are finally able to access the necessary investment to for 21st-century connectivity. I am very proud of what we have been able to accomplish under the connecting Canada program, and I am excited to bring these services to Southern Labrador Communities. I want to thank Nalcor for working with us to access the existing fiber build in the Straits of Belle Isle, and to the investment partners including Bell Aliant, Province of NL, NunatuKavut Community Council, Nunacor, and Labrador Shrimp CO Ltd. All who stepped up to meet the required partnership investment required by the Federal Government.” – Yvonne Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and Member of Parliament for Labrador.
“Internet access is critical for remote northern communities, and I am thrilled that this investment will address long-standing connectivity issues in my district where we are completely crippled when it comes to online activities. Projects like this one will enable communities to have greater access to important digital tools, leading to greater health, educational and economic opportunities, and ultimately stronger communities.” – The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister responsible for Children, Seniors, and Social Development, NL housing Corporation, and Status of Persons with Disabilities.
“This funding will go a long way to ensure that our communities are fully connected to high-speed Internet and that Southern Inuit have access to have this vital service. The NunatuKavut Community Council is proud of the leadership we have taken on this file and is pleased to contribute $50,000 to this exciting project. We commend our development corporation, Nunacor, for being the proponent and making a financial commitment. We also thank the Labrador Fishermen’s Union Shrimp Company and Nalcor Energy for their contributions. And we extend our appreciation to Labrador MP Yvonne Jones, Provincial Minister Lisa Dempster, the federal and provincial governments, Bell Canada and all our partners in helping see this project through.” — President Todd Russell, NunatuKavut Community Council
“This funding announcement is exciting news for NunatuKavut communities, and I am pleased that Nunacor could play a role in improving the Internet services that we rely on every day. These improvements will have a positive impact on business growth, education, healthcare and tourism, contributing to the sustainability of our communities. It will also allow residents to efficiently connect with family and friends around the world. We would like to thank the group of partners who have come together to make this project possible and look forward to improved broadband services in our communities.” – Andy Turnbull, Chief Executive Officer, Nunacor
