Question Period Note: 2021-22 Supplementary Estimates (A)

What is included in ISED’s Supplementary Estimates (A) for rural digital infrastructure programs?

• Through the COVID-19 emergency economic response, the Government of Canada announced a series of measures beginning in March 2020 to support Canadians and businesses facing hardship due to the pandemic.

• Budget 2021 is the government’s plan to finish the fight against COVID-19 and ensure a resilient economic recovery that creates jobs and growth for Canadians.

• As announced in Budget 2021, $269.8 million included in these Estimates will support a more rapid rollout of broadband projects in collaboration with the provinces, territories and other partners.

SUPPLEMENTARY MESSAGES

• Budget 2021 announced that an additional $1 billion over six years would be provided to the Universal Broadband Fund so that more Canadians and small businesses will have faster, more reliable internet access.

• A total of $2.75 billion will be made available through the Universal Broadband Fund to support Canadians in rural and remote communities.

Supplementary Estimates A were tabled in Parliament on May 27, 2021. They represent the first opportunity to access funding for the new fiscal year.

Through these Estimates, Innovation, Science and Economic Development is requesting a total of $1 billion, including $269.8 million to expand the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF). Of this amount, $263 million will extend and enhance broadband and mobile infrastructure to underserved communities and $6.8 million will administer the growth of the program.

The entire ISED portfolio is requesting a total of just under $1.2 billion.

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