PRINCE ALBERT, SK, Jul 4, 2025 (CNW Group via COMTEX) --
Federal investment of up to $105 million will connect more than 6,500 homes
  Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Reliable and affordable high-speed Internet is essential for all Canadians. It enables access to important online resources, connects friends and families, and drives economic growth and innovation.
Today, the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development), announced up to $105Â million in federal funding for three high-speed Internet projects being delivered by Saskatchewan Telecommunications (SaskTel). These projects will bring high-speed Internet access to 6,522 households in 35Â rural and remote communities across central and northern Saskatchewan, including over 4,800 Indigenous households.
The Government of Canada's investment is provided through the Universal Broadband Fund, a program designed to ensure that Canadians in rural, remote and Indigenous communities have access to reliable high-speed Internet.
The government remains on track to meet its goal of providing high-speed Internet to 98% of Canadian households by 2026, and 100% by 2030. With these investments, the government is helping to create new opportunities for rural and remote communitiesâ??ensuring that all Canadians, no matter where they live, can fully participate in the digital economy and benefit from everything Canada has to offer.
QuotesÂ
"In today's day and age, every corner of Saskatchewan should have access to reliable, affordable high-speed Internetâ??whether that's in Sweetgrass or all the way in Black Lake. Today's announcement of up to $105Â million in new funding to connect 6,522 rural households in the province is a major milestone for Saskatchewan. Investments like these create jobs, improve access to health care and online learning services, and keep us connected to our loved ones."
â?? The Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development)
"The Government of Saskatchewan appreciates the federal government's investment to help expand connectivity across the province. These funds will add to the nearly $1Â billion that SaskTel has invested to bring fibre-powered Internet connectivity to communities throughout Saskatchewan. These investments are strengthening our communities by delivering the highâ??speed Internet that families and businesses need to thrive in today's increasingly connected economy."
â?? The Honourable Jeremy Harrison, Minister of Crown Investments Corporation and Minister Responsible for SaskTel
"We at SaskTel, Saskatchewan's homegrown communications leader, understand the incredible impact that high-quality and reliable Internet services can have on a home, business and community. We're thrilled to utilize funding from the Universal Broadband Fund to bring the incredible speed and power of our infiNET network to residents and businesses in more than 30 northern and Indigenous communities. For SaskTel, this initiative is not just about delivering fast Internet speedsâ??it's about supporting local businesses, empowering students, strengthening communities and enriching the lives of our customers."
â?? Charlene Gavel, President and CEO, SaskTel
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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
SOURCE: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Contacts: Connor Burton, Press Secretary, Office of the Secretary of State (Rural
Development), connor.burton@acoa-apeca.gc.ca; Media Relations, Innovation, Science
and Economic Development Canada, media@ised-isde.gc.ca
COMTEX_466925868/2197/2025-07-04T13:30:00
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