Working with BC Communities

BC is the most connected province in Canada and one of the most connected jurisdictions in the world. By the end of 2006, an estimated 92 percent of British Columbians will have access to broadband Internet. That leaves a small percentage of British Columbians without access.

A community engagement strategy has been developed and provincial staff are proactively contacting rural communities to find community champions to lead the development of broadband process at the community level. The Province has a plan to work with communities to ensure that all have broadband access by the end of 2006.

A community, as defined by the Premier's Technology Council (PTC), is a place with either a public school, library or healthcare facility. The PTC identified 366 communities that fit that definition and as of December 31, 2006 every one of those communities identified will have broadband access. The Schedule of Community Connections identifies the quarter in which the 151 communities will receive a connection point by the end of December 2006.

The plan includes leveraging the government's purchasing power and expanding the government network's public access points. Government's role is to work with the private sector and the federal government to bring broadband to communities throughout the province. The role of BC communities is to ensure that the broadband access is provided to homes and businesses within their communities.

How does my community get involved?

Achieving reliable broadband connectivity is a first step in a community developing necessary information and communication technologies (ICT) capacity. For a community network initiative to move forward, there has to be a community champion on the ground locally to enlist community support; to identify and promote the social and economic benefits available to the community from broadband services; to work with government and other funding sources in preparing for network implementation; and, to ensure the sustained operation of the network locally.

The Province, in partnership with the BC Community Connectivity Co-operative (BC3) is sponsoring educational workshops designed to provide local citizens with the knowledge and strategy to bring the benefits of broadband and other information and communication technologies to the homes and businesses in their communities.