Establishing ways to further protect the online identity of Canadians to ensure people’s information is safer and more private was the central theme of a ministers’ symposium in Vancouver this week.

Construction has begun on a fibre-to-the-home project that will bring access to high-speed internet to more than 500 households in six Indigenous communities: Sqwá (Skwah) First Nation’s Skwah 4 and Skwali 3; Cook’s Ferry Indian Band’s Entlqwekkinh19 and Kloklowuck 7; Squamish Nation’s Cheakamus 11; and Upper Nicola Band’s Nicola Lake 1.

More than 700 households in the Deka Lake and Ruth Lake communities can now access quality, reliable high-speed internet with the completion of a fibre-to-the-home network.

Residents of North Tacla Lake 7 and surrounding areas near Takla Lake can look forward to improved cellular connectivity and faster internet with the construction of a new cellular tower.

People in 55 B.C. communities, including Campbell River and seven other Vancouver Island municipalities, will benefit from approximately $17.3 million in grants in lieu of municipal property taxes this year.

The second intake of the provincial connectivity funding program, Connecting Communities BC, will open for applications on Dec. 16, 2022.

More than 1,800 households in seven rural, remote and Indigenous communities on Vancouver Island and three Gulf Island communities can look forward to high-speed broadband internet unlocking better, faster access to digital services and opportunities.

The installation of a new fibre-to-the-home network will bring faster internet speeds to more than 400 households in Clinton and the surrounding area.

All types of procurement opportunities are now available on the modernized BC Bid system, making it easier to bid on contracts with the Province.

The Kootenay Connectivity Benefits Study, released by BC Stats, finds high-speed internet connectivity expansions in rural, remote and Indigenous communities positively impacts both local and provincial economies in the short and long term.