Opposition hammers Government on 988, broadband rollout

The government was taken to task Tuesday over rollout of a dedicated number for mental health and last-mile fibre lays. Two Conservative MPs lashed out at the Trudeau administration over the failings. Pointing out it had been nearly a year since his colleague Todd Doherty passed a motion on a 988 suicide prevention and mental health dedicated number, Edmonton MP Mike Lake asked when it would be implemented. “In a world where we can hold a $600 million election in the midst of a global pandemic, surely we can activate a three-digit phone number that nobody is using and work with dedicated stakeholders on an initiative everyone agrees is a priority,” the Tory MP stated. “This is important and it should be easy. Why is this taking so long?” “The CRTC is currently considering public input from consultations that concluded on Sept. 1. We believe that such a line should have the capacity to connect people in the most appropriate support in the most appropriate way,” Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions replied. “Our government remains committed to fully funding a national three-digit mental health crisis and suicide prevention hotline.” Arguments before the commission have arisen over whether rollout of 988 as a crisis line should be immediate or phased in. The CRTC has made information about the interventions available to the hard of hearing community. Earlier in Question Period, Ontario MP Lianne Rood took Rural Economic Development Minister Gudie Hutchings to task over broadband rollout. “Constituents in my riding of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex and many rural Canadians are unable to access fibre internet because large ISPs will lay down the backbone but fail to finish the important last mile,” she noted. “Although the universal broadband fund supports the last mile, many of the ISPs are not taking advantage of it and are simply leaving Canadians not connected. What will the government do to ensure that all rural Canadians receive last-mile connections?” Hutchings responded, “Since 2015 we have approved programs and projects that are going to connect 1.7 million Canadian households. By 2026 we are going to connect another 1.2 million Canadian families with better, faster internet. By then, 98 per cent of Canada will be connected. Connecting every household, every business and every community is how we are going to build back better.” The topic of rollout of broadband to rural and remote communities was an issue in this fall’s federal election.

Opposition hammers Government on 988, broadband rollout

Brief | December 8, 2021

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Opposition hammers Government on 988, broadband rollout

Brief | December 8, 2021

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