Because of the diversity across this country in geography and density, we will be required to use a number of different technologies. Speaking from my own personal experience, I can drive to downtown Edmonton in 25 minutes and from parts of the county I can even see downtown Edmonton, yet after spending upwards of $120 a month, I still couldn't get download speeds that were greater than seven. They were usually around two, and this was in off-peak hours.
Fortunately I was in the catchment area that was able to use the beta Starlink tests, so for an extra $750 I got the equipment. I have certainly seen a remarkable increase in my connectivity. I have upwards of 80 to 150 download speed, which has been very beneficial for me in being able to work from home, although I wouldn't trust it enough to take this call from home. I drove in to the office in town for it.
However, I have a university-aged son at home who, along with his friends, had a very stressful year making sure that he was able to get his tests done. Sometimes they have an hour allotted to do their work and submit, and often the connection is lost and he can't submit the work. I know there have been a tremendous number of issues connected to the frustrations around Internet, and I know they feed into the growth of mental health issues, which Mr. Telles has spoken about.
In the last six months, we've had three suicides within 20 square kilometres. These people were between the ages of 16 and 18. One was in a rural community, one in a town and one in a city. Across the board it's critical that we get mental health and other health products to isolated people. I think the next pandemic will be around mental health, so we need to be able to meet people where they are and perhaps give them the ability through Internet to access mental health care, among other things. This is going to be so vital for our future.