Connecting Canadians Digitally to Build a Stronger Economy

CRANBROOK, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - March 18, 2015) - Industry Canada

James Moore, Minister of Industry and Minister Responsible for British Columbia, joined by David Wilks, Member of Parliament for Kootenay-Columbia, today delivered a keynote address at an event hosted by the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce. Minister Moore highlighted the Government's commitment to expanding high-speed Internet access to rural Canadians and what this means for Canada's digital economy. The Minister also discussed the Government's priorities that support Canadian families, growing the economy and creating jobs and investment opportunities in British Columbia.

For Canadians who live in communities with slow or no Internet, access to high-speed broadband will lead to new economic opportunities and the creation of new jobs, products and services.

Quick facts

- Connecting Canadians is the Government of Canada's program to provide a targeted 280,000 Canadian households in rural and remote regions of the country with high-speed Internet access.

- By 2017, the Government will invest up to $305 million to address gaps in the delivery of high-speed Internet at speeds of at least 5 Megabits per second (Mbps) in rural and remote communities across the country and of 3 Mpbs in Nunavut and the Nunavik region of northern Quebec.

- Industry Canada received more than 300 applications from Internet service providers to undertake selected projects under the Connecting Canadians program.

- Selected projects will be announced starting in the spring of 2015. More than 171,000 small and medium-sized employers in B.C. create jobs and stimulate economic activity, both locally and across the province.

- The Government has focused on establishing the right conditions for success, such as lowering taxes, cutting the corporate tax rate from over 22 percent in 2007 to 15 percent today, and removing the federal capital tax.

- Canada now has free trade agreements with 43 countries around the world.

- Canada's two most recent trade agreements, the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement, promise to add at least $14 billion annually in new economic activity, equivalent to creating more than 90,000 new jobs.

Quotes

"Our government's top priority remains growing the Canadian economy and creating economic opportunities for all Canadians. To achieve that goal, our government is committed to helping Canadians take full advantage of the opportunities of the digital age. We know that access to high-speed Internet will directly contribute to creating the conditions for growth and job creation here in Cranbrook and across the country."

- James Moore, Minister of Industry

"The families of Cranbrook and the Kootenays work hard to make ends meet; that is why our government has taken steps to allow families to keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets. From increasing benefits to lowering taxes, our actions continue to make a difference. Connecting Canadians is another example of our support for families and businesses. We look forward to working with partners in the private and public sectors that will help deliver reliable, high-speed internet access in underserved communities-like Cranbrook-at the most affordable prices possible."

- David Wilks, Member of Parliament for Kootenay-Columbia

"I was extremely pleased to have Minister Moore address the greater Cranbrook business community today. It is vital to the economy that the government works to ensure that Canadian industry is more productive and competitive in the global economy."

- Dave Struthers, President, Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce

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