Despite a budget setback for the federal government’s promise to extend high speed internet service throughout rural Canada, the minister responsible for rural issues insists his area is at the core of government policy planning.
“I believe that the issues facing rural Canada find their way front and centre into the government’s agenda,” Andy Mitchell, secretary of state for rural affairs, said in a post-budget interview.
“I think in recent years there has been a recognition that if you’re going to have a strong Canada, you need both of its component parts, rural and urban, to be strong.”
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He pointed to a section in the budget in which finance minister Paul Martin acknowledged that rural areas “contribute significantly to the wealth and prosperity of our nation” but also noted that rural areas have special problems including geography, distance from markets, cyclical commodity prices and a small population base.
“The government intends to work with rural communities, their citizens and stakeholders to help develop local solutions to these challenges,” said Martin.
However, the finance minister also announced a year delay, to 2005, in the government commitment to extend high-speed internet broadband service throughout rural Canada.
The delay was widely seen as a slap at Brian Tobin, the industry minister and one of Martin’s Liberal leadership rivals, who has championed the $1 billion broadband proposal.
But Mitchell said the delay also may be the result of urban misunderstanding.
“I think the issue and the debate has been framed wrong and that’s why it is controversial,” said the junior minister and former banker from northern Ontario.
Many see it simply as a way to get computers into rural homes to allow them to send and receive e-mail faster.
“That’s not what it’s about, although that will be a side benefit,” he said. “This initiative is about making sure that rural Canadians have access to things like health care, education and business competitiveness. That’s what broadband is all about.”
He said long-distance telemedicine can only be provided through high-speed internet, and rural businesses need the service as well if they are to be competitive.
Mitchell said despite the delay, he is confident the government will make the investments necessary for improved rural services and infrastructure, including a share of the new $2 billion infrastructure program announced Dec. 10.
