Okay. Even better.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
First, in response to Mr. Ehsassi's comment, I'd like to say I agree with him. At the same time, I cannot forget that, when my fellow member Mr. Cumming asked the minister how much of the investments had been allocated to date, she answered “zero”.
Mr. Kennedy, my question is for you.
The connect to innovate program was launched in 2016 and was supposed to end on March 31, 2021. It was extended until March 31, 2023 thanks to additional funding set out in budget 2019. That means approved projects have to be completed by March 31, 2023.
The program aims to connect about 975 communities by 2023, but we have yet to see any results. In February 2020, only 29 communities had been connected. Things are not moving any faster in November. More than 200 agreements were signed, but we are still waiting on connectivity. If this were a government priority, we would see communities being connected at a satisfactory pace.
Is the program ill-suited to rural areas?
What challenges do you come up against?