Strengthening Haida Gwaii connectivity through new subsea fibre-optic link
Press Release
VANCOUVER –
Summary
- Northern Development Initiative Trust will invest as much as $24 million to install GwaiiTel subsea fibre-optic project
- New link between Haida Gwaii and the mainland northern coast will support health care, emergency response, education, government services and tourism
- Haida Nation’s 50% ownership empowers community leadership and builds resilient, community-focused digital infrastructure
People and businesses on Haida Gwaii will benefit from more reliable internet access as the Province, through Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT), invests in a new subsea fibre-optic cable to enhance the resiliency of connectivity along the northern coast.
“Reliable connectivity is essential to the economic and social prosperity of communities across Haida Gwaii,” said Diana Gibson, Minister of Citizens’ Services. “Through partnerships with the Council of the Haida Nation, GwaiiTel and NDIT, the Province is advancing resilient, dependable internet services that support community needs now and into the future.”
NDIT is investing as much as $24 million in GwaiiTel to enhance network capacity, improve service stability and ensure residents, First Nations and local businesses have access to high-speed internet.
Strengthening critical services with a resilient fibre link
The GwaiiTel Haida Gwaii subsea fibre-optic project will deliver a dedicated, high-capacity connection between Haida Gwaii and the mainland northern coast, creating a more reliable network for the region’s digital infrastructure.
The fibre route will strengthen essential online services that communities rely on every day, including:
- remote health-care delivery and telehealth
- emergency response and public safety
- government services
- education and online learning
- tourism and local business operations
- community and social networking
Supporting community needs through timely investment
Construction will begin in spring 2026 on the project. It represents a step toward more reliable, resilient connectivity on Haida Gwaii, where geography and weather create distinct infrastructure challenges.
Jointly owned by the Haida Nation and local government partners, GwaiiTel has decades of experience managing connectivity on Haida Gwaii, ensuring that infrastructure decisions remain rooted in local perspectives and deliver lasting benefits to island communities.
In March 2022, the governments of British Columbia and Canada announced a partnership to invest as much as $830 million to expand high-speed internet services. The governments of British Columbia and Canada are committed to connecting all remaining under-served households, ensuring better access to services and economic opportunities in every community.
The Connecting British Columbia program supports transport-network projects such as this that create the backbone for expanding high-speed internet to rural and remote areas, levelling the playing field for people in British Columbia.
The project supports Look West, British Columbia’s targeted plan designed to deliver major projects, create good-paying jobs and strengthen British Columbia and Canada’s economic security in the face of economic threats.
Learn More:
- Connectivity in B.C.: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/connectivity-in-bc
- StrongerBC: B.C.’s economic plan: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/economic-plan/
- Northern Development Initiative Trust: https://www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca/fundingprograms/partner-programs/connecting-british-columbia/
- Look West: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/look-west-strategy
A backgrounder follows.
Contact:
Ministry of Citizens’ Services
Media Relations
250-889 8370
BACKGROUNDER
What people are saying about the new subsea fibre-optic link
Gaagwiis Jason Alsop, President of Haida Nation –
“Since 2006, GwaiiTel has provided the people of Haida Gwaii with reliable fibre- optic connection between communities to support services for businesses, health care, emergency services, education and maintain important social ties to family and friends. This investment strengthens our partnership between the Haida Nation and all island communities and ensures that this critical infrastructure is 100% owned by the people of Haida Gwaii. This additional connection to the mainland will ensure our communities have stable access to reliable, high-speed internet.”
Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation –
“The people of Haida Gwaii will now have even more reliable connectivity with faster, more dependable internet access, which will support essential services for residents. This project is a result of strong relationships between the B.C. government and partners, including with the Council of the Haida Nation. By working together with First Nations on critical-infrastructure projects, communities throughout the province are strengthened and all British Columbians benefit.”
Christine Smith-Martin, CEO, Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative –
“Coastal First Nations understands the importance of having dependable high-speed internet connectivity available in all our communities across the coast. GwaiiTel has served the island for decades and is well positioned to lead the development of this crucial link from Haida Gwaii to the mainland, which will contribute to the socio-economic well-being of the entire community.”
Tamara Davidson, MLA for North Coast-Haida Gwaii –
“I’m proud to see this investment support the work that Haida Gwaii has been leading for decades. Strengthening our fibre backbone means strengthening our future, and when families have reliable internet, kids can learn without interruption, parents can access services more easily and households can stay connected. This is about improving quality of life for everyone on the islands.”
Steve Morissette, parliamentary secretary for rural development –
“People in rural and remote communities deserve internet that’s reliable now and ready for what’s next. This project strengthens resiliency for Haida Gwaii, ensuring stable connections and room to expand digital services.”
Ben Campbell, CEO, Northen Development Initiative Trust –
“Laying a subsea fibre-optic cable between Haida Gwaii and the mainland’s northern coast is intricate, complex and vital work, and we are pleased to see the project progressing with financial support through the Connecting BC program and with local experience from a northwest B.C.-based telecom company. Bringing resilient high-speed internet to the people and businesses on Haida Gwaii is a critically important endeavour as we work together to continue to provide equitable access to all British Columbians in the digital landscape.”
Contact:
Ministry of Citizens’ Services
Media Relations
250-889 8370
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