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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder | Factsheet |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder | Factsheet |
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PRINCE GEORGE –As outlined in Tuesday’s speech from the throne, the province will bring high-speed Internet access to every B.C. community by 2006. It will also improve Internet connections at more than 150 schools to expand learning, health and economic opportunities for British Columbians, Management Services Minister Joyce Murray and Education Minister Tom Christensen announced today at a celebration at Hixon Elementary School, one of the first sites to be upgraded.
“This innovative plan advances our New Era commitment to bridge the digital divide by extending high-speed Internet access to every community in B.C., bringing new e-learning and e-health programs, and new economic opportunities to all areas of the province,” said Murray. “The new access points will directly contribute to British Columbians becoming the most computer literate, highly-skilled workforce in Canada, and to the development of our province as one of the world’s top technology centres.”
The province will consolidate its Internet, telephone and voice mail networks with those of other public sector organizations including health authorities and school districts, to provide high-speed broadband Internet access points in 173 communities, including 100 First Nation communities. This year, 154 schools will be upgraded to high-speed Internet access and broadband access points will be opened up in over 70 communities through the Provincial Learning Network. The remaining communities will be connected to the broadband network by the end of 2006.
“We know that access to high-speed Internet is an incredible resource for students, teachers and parents no matter where they live,” said Christensen. “The Provincial Learning Network that connects all of the province’s public schools and colleges will be improved over the next year, making it possible to provide more courses for students, more electronic teaching tools for educators and more professional development options for teachers in rural areas.”
The strategy reflects the recommendations of the Premier’s Technology Council to encourage community-based networks to enter the marketplace. Once the access points have been established in each community, links can be made to homes and business. The province will work with local service providers, community organizations, First Nations and the federal government to put in place those “last mile” connections.
“Small communities often have the most to gain from the introduction of high-speed Internet,” said Jim Mutter, president of the Premier’s Technology Council. “B.C.’s strategy gives community groups the ability to put a world of information and services at the fingertips of people living in rural and remote centres.”
For more information on communities that will gain access to high-speed Internet visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/mser .
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