Connecting rural Alberta

Jun 14, 2024

High-speed internet is crucial for helping Albertans stay connected with friends and family, access government services and open the door to a wider range of economic and educational opportunities. Alberta’s government is taking steps to ensure more rural communities have access to this basic service. This is a priority for Alberta’s government.

Through a partnership with the federal government and the Universal Broadband fund, 120 more Alberta communities and more than 14,400 households will gain access to faster, more reliable and affordable internet. To help all of these communities achieve better connectivity, the Alberta and federal governments are investing a combined $150 million.
“Reliable internet access is a necessity for our communities to thrive. Over 14,000 households throughout rural Alberta will be able to get access to the high-speed internet services they deserve. I’m proud of our work on the Universal Broadband Fund, and I’m looking forward to seeing these projects get shovels in the ground.”

Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation

“I’m happy to see significant investments being made into expanded broadband access in Clearwater County. These projects will connect 2,000 households and make it easier to work, learn, and stay connected in rural Alberta.”

Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services and MLA for Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre
“High-speed internet is no longer considered just a luxury. The federal government funding committed today will bring reliable high-speed Internet to over 14,400 underserved homes in 120 communities across Alberta. All communities, large and small, need a reliable connection to grow their potential in this digital world.”

Gudie Hutchings, federal Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
To date, the federal and provincial governments have invested more than $370 million in 51 projects, bringing connectivity to more than 47,000 households across 333 communities in Alberta.

So far, 61 projects have been funded and that funding is part of the $780 million joint commitment between Alberta and the federal government in 2021 to ensure all Albertans have access to high-speed internet.
“These substantial grants from the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta mark a transformative milestone and partnership with Clearwater County. With enhanced digital infrastructure, we are poised to bring unprecedented opportunities and economic growth to our community, benefiting residents and businesses alike. Together, we are forging a brighter, more connected future.”

Michelle Swanson, reeve and Division 7 councillor, Clearwater County
“The RMA is pleased to see more rural communities gain access to high-speed internet through the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF). We continuously advocate for increased provincial and federal government investment in rural connectivity, and today’s announcement represents another step forward in closing the rural connectivity gap. We are looking forward to seeing how this provincial-federal partnership will fund internet access in more rural communities.”

Paul McLauchlin, president, Rural Municipalities of Alberta

Quick facts

• Communities that will benefit from improved internet speeds include:

Benefitting Communities	Funding recipient
Anzac, Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, Conklin, Draper, Fort McKay First Nation, Gregoire Lake Estates, Janvier	TELUS Communications Company
Ardmore, Cherry Grove, La Corey, Thorhild	MCSnet
Beaver Mines, Burmis	TELUS Communications Company
Cadomin	TELUS Communications Company
Canyon Creek, Sawridge First Nation, Wagner, Widewater	Slave Lake Communications Ltd.
Carlos	Clearwater County
Burnstick Lake, Butte, Caroline, Chedderville, Crammond	Clearwater County
Chipewyan Indian Reserve No. 201A (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), Dog Head No. 218 (Mikisew Cree First Nation), Fort Chipewyan	TELUS Communications Company
Chipewyan Lake	TELUS Communications Company
Codner	Clearwater County
Ardrossan, Argentia Beach, Athabasca, Barnwell, Bashaw, Beaumont, Bearspaw, Bentley, Birch Bay, Bruderheim, Burnstick Lake, Butte, Canyon Creek, Caroline, Chedderville, Chipewyan Indian Reserve No. 201A (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, Clearwater Estates, Cochrane, Cochrane Lake Subd., Collingwood Cove, Conklin, Cooking Lake, Coutts, Crammond, Crystal Meadows, Crystal Springs, Dawn Valley, De Winton, Dog Head No. 218 (Mikisew Cree First Nation), Dorchester Ranch, Draper, Fincastle, Fort Chipewyan, Fort McKay First Nation, Garden Grove Estates, Golden Days, Grandview, Grassy Lake, Green Acre Estates, Gregoire Lake Estates, Gull Lake, Half Moon Estates, Hubbles Lake, Island Lake, Island Lake South, Janvier, Johnson’s Addition, Killam, La Corey, Ma-Me-O Beach, Meeting Creek, Meridean Beach, Milk River, Mulhurst, Okotoks, Panorama Heights, Parkland Beach, Peterburn Estates, Pipestone, Poplar Bay, Provost, Purple Springs, Raymond Shores, Rochon Sands, Rolling Heights, Rolly View, Sandy Point, Sawridge First Nation, Silver Beach, South Baptiste, Spring Lake, Springbank, Sundance Beach, Sundre, Sunset Beach, Taber, Thorhild, Tofield, Two Hills, Viking, Wagner, Warner, West Baptiste, Westlake Estates, Whispering Hills, White Sands, Widewater, Willingdon, Wilsons Beach	Xplore
Cynthia	TELUS Communications Company
Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald Settlement (Smith’s Landing First Nation), Smith’s Landing First Nation	Smith’s Landing First Nation and Northwestel Inc.
Hazell	TELUS Communications Company
Kananaskis Village Area	Kananaskis Improvement District
La Corey	TELUS Communications Company
Little Buffalo (Lubicon Lake)	Lubicon Lake Band #453 / Mighty Peace Wireless
Lodgepole	TELUS Communications Company
Marten Beach	Slave Lake Communications Ltd.
Martins Trailer Court, Ferrier Acres, Ullin, Crimson Lake	Clearwater County
Nordegg, Saunders, Horburg	Clearwater County
Suffield, Ralston	TELUS Communications Company
Swan River First Nation	Swan River First Nation
Triple Diamond RV Park	TELUS Communications Company

Related Information

• The Alberta Broadband Strategy

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