The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) is launching a Rural Connectivity Task Force.
From September 2020 to January 2021, the task force will investigate the barriers to and opportunities for better internet and cellular service in rural Saskatchewan.听
The Rural Connectivity Task Force will be led by agricultural producers from across the province. This fall, they will meet with industry experts, service providers, academics and the public to find out why a digital divide exists in Saskatchewan and identify the necessary steps to ensure equal access in the future.
鈥淔or too long, we have seen funding announcements and promises made by governments that would fix the issue, without seeing adequate results on the ground,鈥� said Chair of the Task Force and farmer, Jeremey Welter. Welter is an APAS board member and the representative for the RM of Mariposa #350 (Kerrobert).
Welter will be joined on the Task Force by APAS Vice President Ian Boxall 鈥� APAS representative for RM of Connaught #457 (Tisdale), APAS Vice President Bill Prybylski 鈥� APAS representative for RM of Garry #245 (Willowbrook), Bev Pirio 鈥� APAS representative for RM of Laurier #38 (Radville) and Paige Stewart 鈥� Co鈥怌hair of the APAS Young Agricultural Producers Committee (Fillmore).
APAS has been working on the issue of rural connectivity since 2019, when the organization conducted a survey on rural internet and cell service that found a high level of dissatisfaction with, disruption to and lack of investment in rural connectivity. These issues have only worsened during COVID鈥�19, with 80 per cent of respondents to the most recent APAS survey indicating their internet and cell service has worsened since March.
鈥淭his is an important step towards addressing the digital divide in our province,鈥� said APAS President and farmer, Todd Lewis. 鈥淪askatchewan鈥檚 rural residents are losing out on opportunities because of a lack of service. Reliable internet is needed for rural communities to support their businesses, students, health services and overall quality of life.鈥�
The Rural Connectivity Task Force plans to release its preliminary findings by December 1, 2020, with a final report due out in early 2021.
APAS is encouraging rural residents to complete the and to follow the work of the .
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