The Federal government continues to promote its investment to connect five remote Matawa First Nations to high speed Internet.
Last week, Canada’s Minister of Innovation and Economic Development announced $40-million in funding, with the remaining $30-million to be covered by the province.
Navdeep Bains says work on the new 880-kilometre fibre optic cable is expected next year, done by Rapid Lynx Telecommunications.
Bains says he heard loud and clear that high speed Internet service was needed when meeting with Matawa leaders last year.
He notes the fibre backbone will go to 36 different institutions and will connect 610 households.
Matawa Economic Development Advisor Jason Rasevych says they will be starting with residential and commercial properties as well as health and education centres.
He adds another priority will be all band offices.
Rasevych says they hope to have the First Nations communities connected next Spring or Summer.
