Band leader pleased with high speed internet funding

A local First Nations leader is encouraged by an announcement by senior governments to spend $830 million to provide access to high-speed internet across the province.

The B.C. government said the plan means many First Nations communities will have high-speed internet access for the first time.

“Today’s announcement is promising and we look forward to the day when all our members have access to hi-speed internet across our reserves,” Byron Louis, Chief of the Okanagan Indian Band told Vernon Matters. “Hi-speed internet will allow all Okanagan Band members to participate fully and reap all the advantages of information technology.”

B.C. is promising that every home and community will have the service by 2027.