Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff has promised that a federal Liberal government would connect all of rural Canada to high-speed internet within three years of being elected.It was the final plank in the Liberal pre-election rural platform that also includes a promise of a national food policy, incentives for health professionals willing to work in rural areas after university and support for volunteer firefighters.Ignatieff also has promised that a Liberal government would reform but maintain the long gun registry.He announced the rural broadband commitment in Thunder Bay, Ont., last week, promising to pay for it through proceeds from an auction of broadband frequencies next year. He also has promised to cancel a Conservative corporate tax cut and use the money to pay down debt and to invest in the economy.The Liberal leader said while the Conservative government announced a $225 million rural broadband program more than a year ago, no agreements have yet been signed with companies prepared to do the work.”Too many rural communities can’t access essential services like education, health care or economic development because we don’t have the digital infrastructure to deliver them,” said Ignatieff. “That’s why I’m committing a future Liberal government to 100 percent high speed internet for every rural, remote and northern community in our country.”A Liberal background paper on the announcement said in 2000, Canada ranked second in the world in connectivity. Now, it is 10th.Industry minister Tony Clement quickly issued a statement insisting the Conservative rural broadband strategy is progressing.”I look forward to announcing details of approved projects to build the infrastructure necessary to offer internet access in rural and remote areas very shortly,” he said.
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