A new investment of up to $24 million will fund a second subsea fibre-optic connection between Haida Gwaii and the mainland, aimed at improving internet reliability across the islands.
The funding, delivered through the Northern Development Initiative Trust, will support a GwaiiTel-led project to build a high-capacity fibre link to B.C.’s northern coast.
Provincial officials say the project will enhance network resiliency by increasing capacity and reducing the risk of service disruptions, particularly in a region where geography and weather pose ongoing infrastructure challenges.
Construction is expected to begin in spring 2026.
The new connection will support a range of essential services, including health care, emergency response, education, government operations and local businesses that rely on stable internet access.
Reliable internet is increasingly considered essential infrastructure in rural communities, supporting everything from remote work and online learning to access to health services and emergency communications.
The project builds on earlier investments in coastal connectivity, including the Connected Coast subsea cable that first linked Haida Gwaii to the provincial fibre network.
GwaiiTel, which operates the islands’ backbone fibre infrastructure, will lead the project. The network is jointly owned by the Haida Nation and local government partners, with the Haida Nation holding a 50 per cent stake.
Officials say the additional link is intended to strengthen long-term connectivity by providing greater capacity and a more resilient system for communities, businesses and public services.
The investment is part of broader provincial and federal efforts to expand high-speed internet access in rural and remote communities across British Columbia.
