The Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta recently announced two co-funded projects to expand high-speed internet access in the province, and the Buck Lake community will be a beneficiary.
Secretary of State for Rural Development Buckley Belanger and Nate Glubish, Alberta’s minister of technology and innovation, announced the $24.8 million investment on Sept. 15.
The Canadian Fiber Optics Corp. and Bearspaw First Nation will head the projects, which are expected to benefit 1,833 households in rural and remote communities.
“No matter where Albertans live, they should have access to reliable, high-speed Internet,” commented Glubish. “This investment will help connect more rural and remote communities, support local businesses, create new opportunities and improve access to the services people rely on every day. Together with the Government of Canada, we are building the infrastructure needed to keep Alberta communities connected.”
The funding comes as part of an existing agreement between the two governments, which began in March 2022.
Buck Lake’s upgrades will be through the Bearspaw First Nation, and they are expected to be completed by March 2028. The provincial and federal governments are contributing a combined $21,903,750 to the project, which should benefit up to 1,099 households. The Kehewin Cree Nation, Foremost and Rocky Rapids are also included in the project.
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