December 16, 2016 – The Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) supports the goals of the Government of Canada’s Connect to Innovate program, which plans to invest $500 million by 2021 to bring high-speed Internet to rural and remote communities. Details regarding this program were announced on Thursday, December 15, by the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. Funding will support both new and upgraded “backbone” as well as “last-mile” infrastructure to provide capacity upgrades for households and small businesses.
CARL continues to recognize the importance of equitable and affordable broadband access for all Canadians, as outlined in its brief presented to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, April 9th, 2013. It also continues to support the search for innovative solutions to complement federal government subsidies and provincial and territorial initiatives in this area.
