The First Mile

Supported by the SSHRC-funded First Nations Innovation Project

Broadband Canada: Connecting Rural Canadians (Industry Canada)

The federal government’s 2009 budget allocated $225 million over three years to Industry Canada Broadband Canada: Connecting Rural Canadians program (Industry Canada, 2009). The first round of 52 funded projects will bring broadband access to an estimated 169,000 households (Industry Canada, 2010c). As of May 2011, the number of projects has been increased to 86, affecting around 210,000 households. According to the Assembly of First Nations (AFN):

Several First Nations and networks have applied for funding from this new program. Neither the AFN not individual First Nations were invited to provide input into the selection criteria and procedures for this particular fund. As of the writing of this report [March 31, 2010], it is unknown how many First Nation-specific projects will be funded (AFN Chiefs Committee on Economic Development, 2010, p. 18).