TEXADA ISLAND – BC NDP MLA Randene Neill is hosting Diana Gibson, Minister of Citizens’ Services on Friday, July 10th, for a tour of two significant connectivity projects that are already providing benefits for people living on Texada Island and local businesses. The projects include the recently completed Connecting Texada Island project and the Connecting Rural Texada project that is expected to be completed by year’s end.
“It is life-changing for people living and working on these beautiful islands to have access to highspeed internet as it opens up options for accessing work, connections, and appointments. Our government is making sure rural British Columbians have the same digital access as the rest of the province.” said Randene Neill, MLA for Powell-River Sunshine Coast. “It was great to bring the Minister here to see these projects by CityWest that are making a real impact for people living on Texada.”
Two connectivity projects on Texada Island are connecting over 350 households with reliable internet connectivity.
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The Connecting Texada Island project is a fibre-to-the-home last-mile project improving broadband capacity to the community of Van Anda area on Texada Island.
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The project was up scoped in April 2026 to add additional premises, benefiting a total of 229 households and is now 100% complete and operational, with services available to the entire scope of residents.
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The Connecting Rural Texada project will improve broadband capacity to 125 households in the region of Marshall School Junction and rural Gillies Bay, on Texada Island.
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The project is co-funded with the federal Universal Broadband Fund and is expected to complete by end of the year.
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“High-speed internet is essential infrastructure that empowers people in communities across British Columbia with access to new opportunities to grow their businesses, access healthcare and education resources while also being able to connect with loved ones. Our government is continuing to connect households so everyone can have these opportunities,” said Diana Gibson, Minister of Citizens’ Services. “Today, over 80% of rural homes and 88% of those on First Nation reserves have access to high-speed connectivity up from only 57% and 66% respectively in 2017.
During the tour, MLA Neill and Minister Gibson will also be visiting the flight simulator located at the Texada Aviation Museum and Library at Texada/Gillies Bay airport used for the Texada AeroSpace Camp, and the Patricia Theatre in Powell River which is utilizing state-of-the-art digital technology to continue bringing arts and culture to the community.
The Connecting British Columbia and Connecting Communities BC funding programs support projects to expand high-speed internet access to rural and remote areas of the province. The plan to provide access to high-speed internet to all households will level the playing field for people in British Columbia, ensuring better access to services and economic opportunities for every community.