Nickel Belt MP Marc Serre says times have changed and the internet is no longer considered a luxury, but rather a necessity.
Serre says digital services are a major key to growing an economy but that’s difficult for rural communities to do.
With that in mind, he’s calling on all levels of government to work together on a creating a10-year national strategy on digital.
Serre says many rural and remote communities are still lacking broadband and cellular services despite federal government efforts.
He says since 2016 the feds have spent $500-million to bring high-speed internet to 300 rural communities.
Despite this, various organizations, businesses, schools and churches like Christ Roi in West Nipissing, still lack cell and broadband services.
Serre says this connectivity gap creates a disadvantage for rural communities and they fall behind in the competitive field.
This further reduces the population and size of a workforce and that puts a strain on the local rural economy as well as affecting tourism and essential services.
Serre believes governments from all levels working together on a national digital strategy can turn things around for rural and remote communities.