Broadband pledge is a net gain for Canada fish farmers

“Broadband access is very limited in the remote and coastal communities in which our members operate,” said Tim Kennedy, president & chief executive of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA), in a press release.

“Canada has a tremendous opportunity in seafood farming to revitalise our rural coastal communities. We are happy to see this announcement.”

$750m extra

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an investment of Can$750 million to help connect Canadians to high-speed internet, grow businesses, and create jobs. The additional funding brings the total amount of the Universal Broadband Fund, aimed at bringing high-speed internet to rural and remote areas, to Can$1.75 billion.

The call for broadband access and improvements for remote, coastal and indigenous communities was among the recommendations put forward in the CAIA’s 2021 Pre-budget Consultation Submission to the Canadian government’s Standing Committee on Finance.

Technology platforms

In Canada’s Blue Economy Strategy 2040, CAIA and the Fisheries Council of Canada outline a vision to position Canada to be a global top three best sustainable fish and seafood producer by 2040. The vision includes three growth targets: double the value of Canadian seafood, 2) double economic benefits, and 3) double domestic consumption of fish and seafood.

“Our sector is highly innovative and our technology platforms require high-speed connectivity to further innovation and sustainable practices,” said Kennedy.

“Having broad connectivity is crucial and will help enable our industry towards future innovation and development. Moreover, it will support Canadian seafood farmers to produce the best, most sustainable seafood in the world while benefiting coastal and indigenous families and communities.”