WHEREAS access to affordable and reliable broadband networks is an important part of everyday life and key to economic, education, social and health development;
AND WHEREAS communities outside urban centres face challenges in accessing internet service levels comparable to those in cities due to factors such as low population, distance and challenging terrain;
AND WHEREAS we believe future ICT infrastructure investment in our community would benefit from a holistic model that takes into account the connectivity needs of regional community partnerships rather than just one community;
AND WHEREAS this regional partnership should begin with a comprehensive needs analysis conducted by Blue Sky Net, a publically funded non-profit development corporation using their expertise and data based mapping tool- (BAIMAP-- Broadband and Associated Infrastructure Mapping Analysis Project);
AND WHEREAS from the analysis and public consultation Blue Sky Net will conduct, it will be determined where internet gaps remain while also acknowledging what may be the best technology to fill these gaps based on access to the closest ICT infrastructure like fibre or other existing network infrastructure;
AND WHEREAS once we determine priority areas we propose establishing three classes of gaps;
1) gaps in fibre/backbone infrastructure,
2) gaps in last mile/local access to business and residents and
3) gaps in access in remote/very isolated area;
AND WHEREAS the Federal and Provincial governments are proposing funding programs that will support the implementation of Broadband projects and will require this in-depth information, we would propose;
THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that, the Municipality of East Ferris supports Blue Sky Net leading a steering committee to which a representative from the Municipality of East Ferris will be appointed and that Blue Sky Net work with this committee during the period of analysis, funding application and any subsequent RFP engagement;
AND FURTHER that a copy of this resolution be sent to all municipalities in the Nipissing District as well as neighbouring municipalities that are not included in the Nipissing District, our MP and MPP.