The MP For South Shore St-.Margarets says the federal government’s latest budget has a lot in it for rural Nova Scotians.
Bernadette Jordan who is also the Minister of Rural Economic Development says the issue brought to her most often is access to high-speed internet.
That’s why $1.7 billion has been set aside to bring high speed internet to all Canadians.
She says connection will happen in stages.
“By 2022, I believe it was, 90 percent will be connected with high-speed. By 2026 you’re looking at 95, and then by 2030 you’re looking at 100 percent.”
Jordan says that final 5 percent will connect the most remote areas of the country, mainly in the far north.
But Jordan says that’s not the only issue.
“Some communities, their water/wastewater is at capacity, they can’t build any more houses until they get that done. Getting employees, how do we attract them to rural Canada?”
Jordan has been talking to Canadians across the country to hear their concerns as she works to have a rural economic development strategy in place by June.
Reported by: Ed Halverson
Twitter: @edwardhalverson
E-mail: halverson.ed@radioabl.ca
