Released on May 23, 2001
CommunityNet, the broadband telecommunications network that will enableSaskatchewan communities to take a quantum leap forward in Internet access,
was officially launched today.
The $71 million, province-wide initiative will extend high-speed network
and Internet access to public institutions in 366 communities. Over the
next three years CommunityNet will link 834 educational facilities, 310
health facilities, 86 First Nations schools and 256 government offices.
CommunityNet brings together provincial government departments and agencies
and the public sectors of education and health. CommunityNet's first phase
will see the creation of an infrastructure to bring high-speed Internet to
the schools and health centres in 150 communities.
The federal government, through Western Economic Diversification Canada
(WD), will contribute $5 million toward the first phase of the project.
This federal investment will enable the connection of 216 schools,
including First Nations schools, in phase one.
"CommunityNet represents a significant step in bridging the digital divide
between urban and rural Saskatchewan regions," Premier Lorne Calvert said.
"It will provide better and faster access to educational resources for
rural students and teachers, and allow health practitioners in those areas
to provide better care to their patients. In addition, CommunityNet will
enable government to provide services to Saskatchewan citizens more
efficiently and cost effectively."
"We're partnering to further support and build on existing Government of
Canada programs such as SchoolNet and the Community Access Program which
enhance access to the Internet for schools and help close the digital
divide in rural, remote and northern areas," Ron J. Duhamel, Minister of
Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification)
(Francophonie) said. "We are committed to using innovation to provide all
Canadians with the opportunity to increase their skills and participate
fully in the economy."
CommunityNet will be delivered to Saskatchewan communities through
SaskTel's existing and new fibre optics and digital services lines via
copper wire and satellite. Satellite bandwidth used in CommunityNet will
be provided by the Saskatchewan Communication Network's (SCN) existing
satellite transponder.
"CommunityNet is an important investment that will connect us to the
future," Minister Responsible for the Information Highway Joanne Crofford
said. "By acting as anchor tenants for CommunityNet, the government and
the public sector will stimulate opportunities to extend the province's
high-speed network to more Saskatchewan residents and businesses. As a
result, we will ensure the province remains competitive."
The WD funding for this initiative was provided in the 2000 federal budget
and is therefore built into the federal government's existing fiscal
framework. This initiative is an example of how the federal government is
prioritizing its spending so that it can better serve Canadians by making
efficient use of their tax dollars.
Detailed information on the communities that will be connected under phase
one can be found on the network's website at www.communitynet.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis
Economic and Co-operative Development
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-1691
Joanne Mysak
Manager, Consultations, Marketing and
Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon
Phone: (306) 975-5942
WD Toll-Free No.: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
WD World Wide Web site:
English - http://www.wd.gc.ca
French - http://www.deo.gc.ca