Fibre Internet Installation for Whitesand and Gull Bay First Nations
Official title: New Fibre Installation
Whitesand First Nation wants to bring high-speed fibre internet to remote communities in northwestern Ontario. The project would run 292 km of underground and aerial cable along Highway 527, connecting homes and businesses in Whitesand First Nation, Gull Bay First Nation, Armstrong, Obanga Lake, and Waweig Lake.
Why This Matters
Live in one of these communities? You could finally get reliable high-speed internet. That means better access to telehealth, online education, and remote work opportunities. For First Nations communities, connectivity is about more than convenience—it's about closing the digital divide.
What Could Change
If approved, fibre optic cables would be installed along Highway 527 from Thunder Bay to Whitesand First Nation. Homes and businesses in five communities would gain access to high-speed internet. Construction would involve directional drilling, trenching, and aerial lines on support structures.
Key Issues
- Should the fibre optic installation project proceed along Highway 527?
- What are the environmental and community impacts of the proposed cable route?
Indigenous Consultation
This consultation requires engagement with Indigenous communities under the Crown's duty to consult.