Rural Canadians in Yukon are in Danger of Loosing Their Access to Internet
MP Shannon Stubbs wrote the following letter to the Ministers of Innovation, Science and Industry, and Rural Economic Development:
Hon. Francois-Philippe Champagne, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry
235 Queen St
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H5
Hon. Gudie Hutchings, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Rural Economic Development
235 Queen St
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H5
July 18, 2022
Dear Ministers,
We are writing to bring to your attention the concerns of rural Canadians in Yukon who are in danger of losing their access to internet.
Xplornet has given notice that on December 31, 2022, they will discontinue their service which brings internet to around 500 households.
There are very few alternatives, and these alternatives are outrageously expensive. As one Yukoner who wrote to us said, “These providers have very expensive installation fees of $10,000.00 to $20,000.00 and ongoing $1500/month fees. This package is geared to large commercial operations such as mining camps or small communities, certainly not your average household.” Worse, some emerging technologies – such as StarLink – are not yet an option, and there is no firm timeline for Yukoners on when it can become available.
Keeping these Canadians connected to the internet so they can continue to access emergency and medical services, work, education, and more, must be a top priority. As adequate time must be given just for installations, Yukoners have informed us that a solution needs to be in place before October 2022. We urge you both to engage with your territorial counterparts and your contacts with Xplornet to find a solution for these Canadians before they lose their internet access.
We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Shannon Stubbs, M.P., Lakeland
Shadow Minister for Rural Economic Development and Rural Broadband
Bob Zimmer, M.P., Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies
Shadow Minister for Northern Affairs and Arctic Sovereignty;
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Gérard Deltell, M.P., Louis-Saint-Laurent
Shadow Minister for Innovation, Science and Industry