Editorial: Connectivity or sovereignty?
By Spencer Hall
Is Premier Eby “putting politics before people” by no longer considering Starlink as the provider to connect the northern and rural B.C. communities to reliable high-speed internet?
BC Conservative MLA for PG-Valemount Rosalyn Bird says so, however her letter published in this week’s edition of The Goat misses key details and context as to why B.C. is no longer working with American firms, including Starlink.
Typically, The Goat doesn’t publicly respond to letters to the editor, however we made an exception this week as Bird is the MLA for our region and is speaking from a position of power.
Even though the 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods have been paused temporarily, it is unclear if they will come into effect after the 30 day halt expires in early March. Earlier this month, Trump also introduced a 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminum, which will stack on top of the other tariffs should they come into effect.
With this potentially devastating trade war lingering in the air, it makes sense that Eby is no longer considering Starlink as a provider of rural internet services and is instead looking at other proponents to provide internet to remote areas.
Trump has also repeatedly undermined our country’s sovereignty, telling reporters in January that he intends to use economic force in order for the country to become “the 51st state.”
Eby, along with other Canadian premiers, recently travelled to Washington D.C., where senior White House officials confirmed to premiers that Trump is serious about annexing Canada.
“As Canadians, we need to realize that he is not joking, that he is definitively looking towards the 51st state being Canada,” Newfoundland and Labrador premier Andrew Furey told CTV News. “He’s had a chance to change that narrative, and not only has he doubled down, I think he’s quadrupled down now on saying that.”
It is because our very sovereignty is at stake that we can no longer rely on our long standing neighbor, ally, and trade partner. We cannot act as though it is business as usual. It is imperative that the Province diversify its trade partners.
This is not “political grandstanding” but putting your country first against foreign threats against its independence.
While I agree with Bird that reliable, high speed internet is needed in rural areas such as ours, I don’t believe it’s worth partnering with a man who works so closely with an administration that would like to see our country absorbed into the U.S.
Starlink’s technology may be cutting edge, but it is not the only option when it comes to connecting the North. The province does not need to rely on American companies to connect its rural areas and instead can keep its money within Canada by working with Canadian telecom companies to bring high-speed internet to remote areas. In fact, Telus is the proponent of an in-progress project in the Thompson-Nicola area, which will bring high-speed fibre internet to six communities, including Blue River.
It’s worth noting that Eby’s decision to not work with Elon Musk and Starlink doesn’t mean those in rural areas can’t use Starlink services. It is readily available to consumers across the province.
