Public Notice

March 19, 2024 – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada must determine whether the proposed project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this determination, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online.

Written comments must be submitted by April 18, 2024 to contact identified on the project page.

The Proposed Project

New Fibre Installation

Smith's Landing First Nation and Northwestel plan to install underground and aerial fiber optic cabling, for Internet purposes, to all residential homes in Smith's Landing First Nation (Thabacha Náre 196A) and Fitzgerald Settlement (Smith's Landing First Nation) (Thebathi 196). The project involves the installation of approximately 7.5 km of underground and/or aerial fiber optic cable along highway 48 starting from Pine Lake road, and along local roads in Fitzgerald Settlement. Existing pole infrastructure will be used for aerial fibre placement where possible and otherwise the fiber will be buried using directional drilling, trenching, or using existing conduits as required.