Public Notice

Saddle Lake Broadband and Cellular Connectivity Upgrade and Resilience Plan Project – Public Comments Invited

January 25, 2021 – Infrastructure Canada and Indigenous Services Canada must determine whether the proposed Saddle Lake Broadband and Cellular Connectivity Upgrade and Resilience Plan Project, located in the City of Saddle Lake, Alberta, is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this determination, Infrastructure Canada and Indigenous Services Canada are inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website (https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/50/evaluations/{rptection?culture=en-CA). 

Written comments must be submitted by February 24, 2021 to:

Mark Libby, Junior Environmental Review and Approvals Officer, Infrastructure Canada (mark.libby2@canada.ca).

The Proposed Project

The Saddle Lake Cree Nation (SLCN; the Proponent) is proposing to construct various broadband and cellular conductivity upgrades to aid in dealing with broadband issues being experienced within the First Nation community.

The proposed project would include the following components:

• Installing ~33 kilometres of new fiber optic network to connect the five core towers of fixed wireless network within the Nation;
• Installing fiber optic lines to various community facilities including HRD, Public Works building, Youth Center, school, fire hall, public works office, housing office, building supplies office, lands office, Bison Auto shop, and traditional land use offices; and
• Constructing a new cellular tower to provide seamless cellular signal coverage.

This Project will improve cellular connectivity and reduce internet congestion experienced by the network of community services and households. By improving communication and wireless access, the SLCN will have the ability to streamline processes with its internal and external service providers to better address the needs of education, addiction, homelessness, health, and the social wellbeing of the community. This Project supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions' Calls to Action for Indigenous people to participate in the determination of how they want to access and fill economic, social, and other roles within their community and the broader Canadian society.