AI, 5G, rural broadband funding in Ont., N.S. budgets

The Ontario government said it will support the latest technologies in the coming years, with funding for artificial intelligence and 5G networks included in its 2017 budget. Finance Minister Charles Sousa tabled Ontario’s financial plan Thursday, saying that the province will “embrace and invest in transformative technologies, so that instead of playing catch-up in a changing world, Ontario leads that change and reaps the benefits in jobs and economic growth in fields like artificial intelligence, fifth-generation wireless technology, advanced computing and quantum technologies,” according to a copy of his budget speech. Among the projects supported by the province’s Business Growth Initiative — introduced in 2016 as “the government’s plan to support Ontario’s transition to the new economy” — is the Vector Institute for artificial intelligence. Ontario is contributing $50 million to the project, which is also supported by the federal government and private sector companies such as Alphabet Inc.’s Google. Thursday’s budget also included a pledge of $130 million over five years for 5G development. The money is split between two projects: $67 million in ENCQOR (Evolution of Networked Services through a Corridor in Quebec and Ontario for Research and Innovation), and $63 million in CENGN (Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks), which are described as “industry-led consortiums” that will “advance the development and commercialization of 5G and next-generation technologies and networks across Ontario.” Randy Deloray, Nova Scotia’s minister of finance and treasury board, also tabled his government’s 2017 financial plan Thursday, pledging an $8.5-million boost to its funding for rural high-speed Internet. The money joins the $6 million allotted in 2016. “Improving rural Internet is a priority for our government because it helps our rural businesses grow and hire more Nova Scotians,” Deloray said, according to a copy of his budget speech. “Recently, we announced 22 new, community-based projects that will improve access to high-speed Internet throughout rural Nova Scotia. All combined, the projects will reach up to 5,400 homes and 420 businesses. We will keep building on this success by investing $14.5 million to further improve access to high-speed Internet around the province.” Nova Scotia is awaiting a consultant’s report on a new middle-mile strategy to boost broadband connectivity. Thursday’s budget also included $50,000 for a community Internet/digital literacy training project for older adults and a $12.8 million addition to the Film and Television Production Incentive Fund and to support The Mist, a Stephen King adaptation filming in the province.

AI, 5G, rural broadband funding in Ont., N.S. budgets

Brief | April 27, 2017

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AI, 5G, rural broadband funding in Ont., N.S. budgets

Brief | April 27, 2017

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