People living in the west Vancouver Island communities of Toquaht Nation and Salmon Beach will soon be getting better access to high-speed internet.
The BC Government announced on July 11 that it would invest up to $700,000 through the Connecting Communities B.C. program, administered by the Ministry of Citizens' Services. The Government of Canada is also investing up to $700,000 through its Universal Broadband Fund. CityWest will contribute approximately $835,000.
"For the t̓uk̓ʷaaʔatḥ (Toquaht) people, high-speed internet is about respecting our masčim (community members) by ensuring access to education, employment and economic opportunity. It supports our t̓aat̓neʔis (children) in learning, helps adults find meaningful work, attracts investment and strengthens overall community well-being," said Chief Anne Mack, Toquaht First Nation, in the media release.
"Connectivity also allows us to share our haaḥuupacamis (teachings), engage with ʔeʔiičum (Elders), and remain connected to one another no matter where we are. This is about more than infrastructure. It is about unlocking the potential of our people and building a stronger future together," said Mack.
According to the province, more than 400 households on western Vancouver Island near Ucluelet will benefit from new connectivity infrastructure, including Toquaht Nation territory that includes Salmon Beach and m̓aʔaquuʔa (Macoah, the Nation's primary residential village). The two "last-mile" projects will be built and operated by internet service provider CityWest.
“CityWest's fibre-to-the-home projects will bring these residents and businesses urban-class connectivity, creating equal opportunities for more rural, remote and Indigenous British Columbians,” said Stefan Woloszyn, CityWest CEO, in the media release.
“We would like to express our thanks to the Province of B.C. and the federal government for their vision on ensuring that these communities are able to unlock their connectivity destiny,” he said.
The Province's investment is part of StrongerBC: Good Lives in Strong Communities, the Province's program to help build a brighter future for rural communities and the people who call them home.
In March 2022, the governments of British Columbia and Canada announced a partnership to invest as much as $830 million to expand high-speed internet services. The Province also made a specific commitment to connect every First Nations community to high-speed internet services in the government's Declaration Act Action Plan, states the media release.
Since 2017, the Province has invested $584 million to expand connectivity in British Columbia. As of January 2025, approximately 74 per cent of rural homes and approximately 83 per cent of homes on First Nations reserves have access to high-speed internet, according to the BC Gov.
In 2021, the province launched a $10-million project to bring reliable internet and cell service to Ehattesaht First Nation near Zeballos.
In 2022, people in Telegraph Cove, Holberg, Houpsitas 6 of the Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nation, and Winter Harbour on northern Vancouver Island, as well as the communities of Van Anda on Texada Island, Galiano Island and Saturna Island, received the good news that they would soon benefit from faster internet.
Ahousaht residents living on Flores Island received internet upgrades from Telus and Conuma Cable in 2017.
For the roughly 200 people living in the community of Ditidaht at Nitinaht Lake, connectivity remains an issue with no reliable high-speed internet and cellular service. Ditidaht members rely on a cellular hotspot at the community hall at the entrance to the village.
The Hesquiaht First Nations community of Hot Springs Cove has TELUS internet, but when there is a service outage, it could take anywhere from two to four weeks for a worker to come in, according to Hesquiaht councillor and Hot Springs Cove resident Kayla Jordyn.
John Jack, chair of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District said the investment in high-speed internet provides a meaningful opportunity that could change the lives of people living in Toquaht and Salmon Beach.
"Most of us take for granted that we can go online when we need to engage with others. For people who live in remote areas, that is often not the case," said Jack.
