The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is welcoming Monday's announcement from the federal government of $750 million funding for the Universal Broadband Fund. This is additional funding to the $1 billion announced in the 2019 budget for the same purpose.
The government also announced a $600 million agreement to improve connectivity and expand high-speed Internet coverage to the far north, rural, and remote regions across Canada. CFA says these investments are crucial for Canadian farmers, as rural broadband is a key, foundational step that will allow them to take advantage of cutting-edge technology. The government also announced that $150 million from the fund will be available immediately for projects.
"With COVID-19 pushing many services to only be available online, rural broadband is a problem that can no longer be ignored," said CFA President Mary Robinson. "Not only is this technology crucial for modern business, it is essential to attracting the next generation of farmers who see high-speed connectivity as an essential service for every day life."
The Universal Broadband Fund is predicted to provide 98% high-speed internet coverage by 2026, and 100% by 2030.
"The more quickly this coverage is implemented, the faster Canadian farmers can adopt new technologies that can help unleash the real potential of Canadian agriculture," added Robinson. "This potential has been identified by the Federal government in the Barton Report and leading financial institutions like the Royal Bank of Canada. With these kinds of programs and the proper support, Canadian agriculture can be a powerful economic engine for Canada's recovery."
CFA says it will work closely with the government to ensure that these projects are implemented as quickly as possible to enable farmers access to high speed internet across the country.
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