September 12, 2002

CHURCHILL--Industry, Trade and Mines Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk today launched the Churchill Community Net, a high-speed Internet network that will service business and residential customers in the Churchill region, and make the northern town one of the most wired communities in northern and rural Manitoba.

The Churchill Community Network is a partnership between the private sector, the community of Churchill and the Manitoba government and is the first community-owned Internet service provider in Manitoba. The network is a not-for-profit venture that has already secured subscriptions from 70 residences and 20 businesses in Churchill.

The network will benefit from digital infrastructure supplied from Vancouver Teleport Inc. whose satellite and wireless technology will supply up to two mega-bytes per second of reliable high-speed service to the network’s customers.

"The Town of Churchill is an outstanding example of a community that recognized the importance of high-speed Internet, created a strong business case, and worked together with government and the private sector to achieve a cost-effective solution," said Mihychuk. "The town's creation of its own small-scale telecommunications company is a remarkable achievement that will serve as a model for other communities interested in high-speed service."

"Improving electronic communications in Northern Manitoba is vital to promoting economic development," said Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson. "The new network provides a window to the world for the residents of Churchill.

"Our government's Northern Development Strategy (NDS) recognizes the importance of new technologies in sharing ideas and innovative new approaches for health care, education, and community and economic development among our northern communities. This initiative fits in with all of these goals."

"The high-speed Internet project undertaken by the Churchill Community Network is a model for all northern communities that are looking to enhance their technology infrastructure," said Mike Spence, mayor of Churchill. "One just needs to look at www.townofchurchill.ca to see how a small community can harness the Internet to access international markets."

Mihychuk noted that bringing Manitoba communities online was a major thrust of Manitoba's E-Friendly Information and Communications Technology Strategy announced in 2001. Industry, Trade and Mines has established a broadband office that is mandated to work with communities to achieve access to high-speed service through partnerships with the private sector.

"I congratulate the community of Churchill for making this a reality," said Mihychuk. "By providing this service to Churchill and Northern Manitoba, high-speed Internet access will help to connect residents and businesses to services and markets in other parts of Manitoba, Canada and the world."

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