April 6, 2010
Saturna Island Residents Benefit from Connectivity Investment

VICTORIA – Saturna Island residents will soon have the world at their fingertips with $50,000 in provincial funding to expand broadband connectivity.

“By introducing broadband into smaller communities like Saturna Island, we are one step closer to closing the digital divide,” says Saanich North and the Islands MLA Murray Coell. “Broadband provides remote residents greater access to education through online learning and skills training, while allowing them to stay in their communities.”

Applications from all areas of the province have been reviewed and evaluated, completing the second year of the multi-year funding program. Grants totalling $1.3 million will support 30 projects to be completed over the next year. Under Network BC, infrastructure grants were made available to eligible applicants where the ability to expand Internet high-speed service to unconnected areas was demonstrated.

The Connecting Citizens Grant Program was announced by Premier Gordon Campbell at the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention in September 2008. The program is a $5.2 million, multi-year grant program that provides up to $50,000 per project.

As part of the Ministry of Citizens’ Services, Network BC’s collaborative leadership model has gained international recognition. Network BC was named Laureate of the international Computerworld Honours Program for innovation and has been recognized by the Premier’s Innovation and Excellence Awards annually since 2006 for its collaborative partnerships to support connectivity in rural and remote areas.

For more information about Murray and the Saanich North and the Islands constituency, visit www.murraycoellmla.bc.ca.

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