APAS calls for commitments to improve rural internet as campaigning begins

In a release sent out shortly after the federal election writ dropped Sunday, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) called on all parties to make commitments to fix poor rural internet access.

“Farmers and ranchers have access to technology to improve the management in our operations but we can’t use those technologies because we don’t have proper internet and cellphone service,” said APAS vice-president Ian Boxall.

“There’s a lot of rural Canada that is really truly lacking in adequate internet that urban people will take for granted. Those discrepancies need to be fixed, and that’s a main priority to help boost the rural economy in Canada.”

In an APAS survey on rural internet conducted between May 2019 and January 2020, three quarters of respondents reported being dissatisfied with their internet access. 63 per cent of respondents reported being dissatisfied with cell service.\

Boxall said high-speed internet access will be pivotal as agricultural technologies related to equipment, crop and soil management and autonomous vehicles advance.

“You don’t need to have a service call out to your tractor. They’re able to log in from the dealership to tell you exactly what’s wrong with your piece of equipment on some of the new stuff,” Boxall said.