CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is carrying a story on the provincial government's conemtplation of expanding broadband access to Labrador.
Yes, it's important.
Yes, it's expensive - upwards of $80 million, according to Trevor Taylor's comments to CBC.
But it isn't like there isn't already a plan for it.
Check the link to a November 2005 news release in which former innovation minister Kathy Dunderdale announced government would be hiring a consultant to map out an information strategy. They never did; if they did, the person has never been heard of again.
Anyway, the oddly titled "Big Backgrounder" contains a breakout of projects under the federal government's Broadband and Rural and Northern Development (BRAND) project. Two Labrador projects are listed with a total project cost of over $5.0 million, financed 100% by the Government of Canada.
Trevor Taylor's department is listed as having commited exactly zilch to the project.
Nada.
Bupkis.
BRAND is a project in which the province dribbles teeny bits of cash and the feds flood.
So now, Trevor Taylor is announcing further study of extending broadband coverage to Labrador, which will, as he predicts, require provincial funding.
Trevor needs a fact-checker.
