By Mark Squibb/February 24, 2023
A handful of politicians representing the federal and provincial governments braved a blizzard to travel to Ferryland Wednesday morning to announce up to $94 million in joint funding for Bell and Xplore Net to bring high-speed internet to another 36,000 homes in over 350 rural, remote and Indigenous communities throughout the province.
Avalon MP Ken McDonald began the session with a playful shot at federal Minister of Rural Economic Development and the MP for Long Range Mountains, Gudie Hutchings.
“Every time Gudie speaks, she says she’s from the best coast, the west coast,” said McDonald. “And I’ll say, ‘You can think that all you like, but I have the Irish Loop in my riding, so mine is the best.’ So, I’m going to challenge her a little bit today, and ask her which community in her riding has got an international stamp?”
McDonald was of course referring to a stamp released in 2019 showing a giant iceberg that floated past Ferryland in 2017.
Hutchings had no comeback for McDonald.
“I noticed that Minister Hutchings is not jumping up or singling out any communities in her riding, so what is it in wrestling, the tap out? I got the shoulders pinned to the mat and now I’m wearing the belt.”
McDonald went on to relay the importance of internet to rural communities.
“I don’t think I need to tell anybody here how important high-speed internet is to communities like Ferryland, and all the other rural communities across our province,” said the Avalon MP. “Our government is working hard to give Canadians who live in rural and remote areas all the advantages and connectivity that come with high-speed internet access. Since day one, our government has been dedicated to building high-capacity infrastructure to connect Canadians, no matter where they live. Today’s announcement is another step towards our goal, and I’m proud to say it’s a big step for rural Newfoundland and Labrador.”
He relayed how during COVID lockdowns, the House of Commons met over Zoom and “didn’t miss a beat.”
“We can all vote on now, as members of Parliament, on our phones,” said McDonald by way of example. “We have an app on our phones, that if we’re at home, and not in Ottawa for some reason when a vote takes place, you take out your phone, and click on the voting app, and vote. There’s facial ID to make sure it’s not some phony person voting in your place who might not vote the way you would. It gives us the ability to be in our ridings more, and not in Ottawa. Because I always tell people, there’s nobody voting for you in Ottawa, unless you’re an Ottawa MP. So, the more you can be in your riding, the better off you are as a politician.”
Hutchings also spoke about Ottawa’s commitment to bringing high-speed internet to rural communities.
“Internet is not just a luxury, it’s a necessity,” said Hutchings. “It’s not just Netflix.”
She went on to detail how folks use the internet to work, play, further their education, and stay connected.
“But the big thing that it is, is that it’s an equalizer,” said Hutchings. “It’s an equalizer from every part of Canada, from coast to coast to coast. That makes it a level playing field, no matter where you business is, no matter where your farm is, no matter where your fishing operation is, if you have reliable, high speed internet, the country is equal.”
She said the federal government is working to provide high speed internet access to 98 precent of Canadians by 2026, and the entirety of Canada by 2030.
According to Hutchings, 93.5 precent of Canadians are connected to high-speed internet. She later said that 79 percent of this province has access to high-speed internet.
“I know, for some communities it’s been a long time coming,” said Hutchings. “But we are getting the job done… so get ready, because your world is about to change, in a good way.”
MHA Brian Warr then reiterated that access to the internet is not a luxury, but a necessity.
Also in attendance were MHA Loyola O’Driscoll, Ferryland councillor Keith Mooney, and MP Seamus O ‘Regan, and representatives of Bell and Xplore Net.
Bell’s portion of the project is expected to be completed by December 2025, and Xplorenet’s by March 2026.
A list of communities to receive services was provided by Ken McDonald’s office, but that list does not include the number of households to be serviced in each community.
Communities along the Irish Loop to receive additional service include Admiral’s Beach, Admiral’s Cove, Aquaforte, Biscay Bay, Brigus South, Cape Broyle, Cappahayden, Fermeuse, Ferryland, Gaskiers-Point la Haye, La Manche, Mall Bay, Port Kirwan, Portugal Cove South, Renews, St. Catherine’s, St. Shotts, St. Vincent’s, and Trepassey.
Those communities are being serviced by Bell.
