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Premier's Speeches
Tidnish/Port Howe Area Broadband Event
Northport Elementary School Auditorium
Remarks by Premier Rodney MacDonald
January 3, 2007
Thank you Rhonda, Minister Hurlburt, Warden Hunter, Mr. Schwartz, Ms. Pipe and the dedicated community that is solidly driving this project forward.
Today, your high-speed broadband expansion begins!
I am pleased Seaside Communications has the contract to extend broadband to the people throughout the Tidnish to Port Howe area. The work starts immediately.
Your community representatives, along with CREDA, chose Seaside Communications, an established Nova Scotia company, as your broadband service provider. This is about our citizens and our businesses working together – combining energy and expertise to build something more than what's typical. I am honoured my government is helping make the goal a reality.
Rural areas require broadband connectivity to be able to participate and contribute their share of economic and social growth. You clearly understand this, as does my government.
My friends, we all have the option to choose where we can live. Like you, I know that it is the place, more often, that chooses us. Like you, we will fight for opportunities that make our communities thrive. Like you, I have seen the challenges.
Today, citizens need access to on-line services. Think of your children and their classmates here in Northport elementary. They, like all our students, need access to new learning opportunities.
Competitive businesses need access to on-line services; they need to communicate wherever and whenever in the global marketplace.
People can choose to live in a rural area and still work for global firms. To do this, these employees need a broadband link to their corporate computing systems.
Our tourists are looking to walk the beach at sunset, sit around an outdoor fire, yet they still want to stay connected so they can send home pictures of our beautiful landscapes, update their blog, and plan the next stages of their vacation on-line.
Being connected through high-speed Internet is fundamental, just as the telephone and electricity have become elemental tools of our society and economy. Being connected will break down a major barrier to people choosing to live where they want, and it will empower their growth and their business no matter where they are in Nova Scotia.
Something else I truly believe, there is no limit to Nova Scotians' potential, talent, and innovation. We are all equally capable. All Nova Scotians, whether you choose to live in rural or urban areas, deserve equal footing.
There are so many opportunities – especially for young Nova Scotians. So many of these opportunities required leaving home. That's changing!
In the economy of today and the prosperous society we are building, Nova Scotians will be fully connected and will be full participants in our progress.
I am encouraged by your commitment to see something better. I believe we all share this vision. Indeed, that's why my government is committed to expanding high-speed broadband access for all Nova Scotians, no matter where they live:
- It starts here with you;
- It will roll out to more areas this year;
- It will continue through 2008;
- Our goal by the end of 2009 is Nova Scotia will become the most connected place in North America.
It's a smart investment my government is making for our province's future. As we move forward, we are creating the new Nova Scotia. We will continue to focus on growing a thriving economy – one which will create opportunities for our sons, our daughters, our families and our friends.
Ladies and gentlemen, the high-speed broadband expansion in the Tidnish to Port Howe area is the beginning for your children, your neighbours, your businesses and this beautiful area of Nova Scotia on the shore of the Northumberland Strait.
Join me in thanking Seaside along with CREDA and your community members for their belief in this project, in this area, and in our province.