Mr. Speaker, since 2015, the Government of Canada has committed over $46 million towards connectivity initiatives in Prince Edward Island. The $20-million partnership with the Government of Prince Edward Island is being allocated to projects that provide coverage to areas not serviced by other ongoing connectivity initiatives.
With regard to parts (a), (b), (d), (f) and (g) of the question, details of projects approved under the $20-million partnership will be available once negotiations with Prince Edward Island and the recipients are complete.
With regard to part (c), details of projects approved under the $20-million partnership will be available once negotiations with Prince Edward Island and the recipients are complete. It is expected that approximately 2,000 homes will be connected as a result of this funding partnership.
With regard to part (e), the minister may declare a default under the agreement in the event of a recipient not meeting the performance metrics, the timeline or any requirements outlined in the funding agreement. The minister may, at their discretion, notify the recipient of the issue and allow 15 business days to resolve it or prove corrective action. If not addressed, the minister may declare an event of default. If the minister declares that an event of default has occurred, the minister may exercise any one or more of the following remedies: suspend any further payments to the recipient under the agreement, including payments in respect of claims that may have been received by the minister prior to the date of the minister’s declaration of default; terminate the agreement, including any obligation to make further payments to the recipient under the agreement; require the recipient to repay all or part of the contribution that has been paid to the recipient, together with interest from the date of demand for repayment; and/or any other remedy available to the minister under the law.