The Kenora District Services Board has launched an initiative to get more people connected to the internet.
The ‘Connecting the Kenora District’ project is for those with limited or inadequate access to reliable, high-speed internet.
Chief Administrative Officer Henry Wall says roughly 800 to 900 households in the district don’t have access to the world wide web.
“We want to make sure that families and children feel like their part of both the education system but also can participate in whatever they wish to, like any other youth would elsewhere in the province.”
The program is funded by the federal government in partnership with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board.
Wall says, “We have many families, seniors, children, young adults that are struggling being connected. They are struggling with having no access to internet or the access they do have, it’s not meeting their needs, doesn’t allow them to participate in a meaningful way.”
Wall says the pandemic amplified the need for improved broadband service.
He says the goal is linking some 3,000 residents to the Starlink internet system and says they are starting with Pickle Lake.
Wall notes the KDSB will be covering 90% of the up-front costs for the installation and acquiring the unit.
He adds they will work with applicants if they can’t pay their 10% share.
For Pickle Lake, application will be accepted until August 18 at noon local time.
Those interested can visit or paper copies are available at the Municipality of Pickle Lake’s office.
You can also call 1-844-266-9466.
To be eligible, Pickle Lake community members who have a permanent residence (rent or own) must have applied for a Starlink internet kit on or after May 20, have no internet access, or have poor, low-quality internet access to be eligible for consideration.
The program will be rolled out to other communities once the Pickle Lake hook-up is completed.
