The Connecting British Columbia program is a province-wide program administered by Northern Development Initiative Trust (Northern Development) and is available to all eligible applicants. It is funded by the Province of British Columbia.
This phase of the Connecting British Columbia program is closed.
To learn which phases are open and accepting applications, visit the Connecting British Columbia page.
The current objective of the multi-year Connecting British Columbia program is to accelerate the delivery of high-speed internet connectivity at minimum target speeds of 50 megabits per second (Mbps) down and 10 Mbps up to homes and businesses in rural communities in BC. Applications that are able to demonstrate the ability to support the target of 50/10 Mbps are highly preferred.
The high cost of infrastructure has been identified by local governments, First Nations, and internet service providers as one of the key barriers to expanding internet services. The Connecting British Columbia program helps pay for infrastructure required to deliver high-speed internet connectivity to rural areas of the province.
*Please ensure documents are downloaded and saved to your computer desktop prior to entering any information. If opened and completed with your internet browser, any information entered will not be saved.
Download AllTransport projects funded under the program must achieve one or several of the following objectives:
Eligible Projects
The program intake, effective September 1, 2018, is to provide funding for transport projects to ensure that infrastructure investments are, to the extent possible, coordinated, scalable, provide value for money and achieve priority objectives for the region.
It is highly recommended that applications are in support of regional connectivity strategies that enable outcomes that are a priority for the local government, regional district or First Nation benefiting from the investment. Written support from the local government body is required before an application will be considered for funding.
Transport projects are defined as high-speed fibre or radio links building a point-to-point segment between two communities, or extension or breakout segments splitting from existing transport lines. High-speed means at least 1 Gbps.
Also, eligible projects must clearly provide social benefits to the serviced areas. Some examples of social benefits considered are:
Applications will be reviewed and assessed on a first come, first serve basis until available funds are committed.
Transport Infrastructure Build
Eligible Builds
Ineligible Builds
Applicants must agree to own, operate, and maintain the transport infrastructure as a condition to obtain the funds.
Examples of eligible applicants include:
Individuals cannot apply to the program.
This phase of Connecting British Columbia is closed.
Visit the Connecting British Columbia page to see which phases are accepting applications.
Please review all program documents in detail as incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Complete application forms with all required attachments should be provided electronically to Northern Development by email. Email Us
Email: info@northerndevelopment.bc.ca
Email UsFor program enquiries contact:
Northern Development Initiative Trust
250-561-2525
ConnectingBC@northerndevelopment.bc.ca
301-1268 Fifth Avenue, Prince George BC V2L 3L2 Canada
If you’d like to discuss your project in further detail with Northern Development staff, please contact us by email, phone, or filling out the form below. Also, we encourage you to reach out to us if you think you are eligible for funding for categories that are not specified here.
