Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
September 9, 2009
The following statement was issued by the Honourable
Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural
Development. It was also read in the House of Assembly:
Province Selected as Gateway into
North America�s Communications Industry
Today I rise in this Honourable House to report on a
commitment that dates back to our early days as a
government that is strengthening Newfoundland and
Labrador�s position on the international stage.
When this government was first elected, the
province�s communications infrastructure was severely
lagging behind that of other jurisdictions. Access to
high speed Internet was limited, and in some areas of
the province customers were paying higher rates and
receiving less in return than their counterparts across
Canada.
Our mandate was clear.
Improved access was seen as being fundamental to
Newfoundland and Labrador�s economic growth and an
integral component of supporting our emerging advanced
technology sectors. Steps had to be taken to open doors
to the world for our academic and business communities
and residents, along with enhancing government
operations and services.
With stringent guidelines in place overseeing
Canada�s communications sector, this administration had
to work strategically and invest wisely.
The fall 2007 completion of the province�s second
trans-gulf fibre optic network enabled � for the first
time � full competition in the provincial communications
industry. The Provincial Government�s $15 million
investment enabled greater access for carriers to
deliver service to the province.
It was an investment that the Office of the Auditor
General acknowledged as providing "good value." It is
infrastructure that will serve as the backbone as we
continue to proceed with improving broadband access.
In six short years � our work � in collaboration with
our partners, has seen broadband access increase from
114 communities to close to 450 today. That�s an
increase of more than 250 per cent.
What was once a weakness is now viewed,
internationally, as a strength.
Last summer, Tele Greenland opted to use this
province as a gateway into North America�s
communications industry. Why? Because of the quality of
our communications network that was enhanced by
government�s investments.
Today, a delegation from Greenland, led by the
country�s deputy premier, will officially open Tele
Greenland�s subsea cable station in Milton.
The advanced communications facility is part of their
$140-million strategy to improve services in Greenland
and meet their country�s growing bandwidth requirements.
Our advanced communications capacity has led to
Newfoundland and Labrador emerging as an attractive
venue for foreign investment, and positions us a gateway
between North America and Europe.
I am confident that Tele Greenland�s decision to
establish operations in the province will lead to
mutually-beneficial economic development opportunities
for both jurisdictions and strengthen our collective
communications infrastructure.
2009 09 09 2:50 p.m.
