Clearwater County is moving to dissolve the committee overseeing the ongoing $85 million broadband project.
First established in 2022, the committee provided updates to council on the large project, which has at times proved contentious among members of council and the public.
In February 2026, council voted to move forward with completing the project after determining other options, including changing its scope or cancelling it altogether, would be more costly.
–
RELATED
–
Initially supporting the committee staying in place, Coun. Tyler McCauley said it should remain until the project is completed.
Coun. Breanne Powell said she believes the committee has served its purpose, especially since the project is well underway.
Legislative coordinator Tracy Haight said any new information about the project will still come before council for a decision.
CAO Michael Simpson agreed, saying authority over the project remains solely with council, with or without the committee.
Following those comments, council voted to end the committee, with only Coun. Bryan Cermak opposed.
Council receives project update
A Sept. 22 report to council shows a large portion of the broadband project is complete.
Around 41 per cent of the planned 1,624 km of cable has been installed. While cable has not been installed in all construction areas, the majority of the ground disturbance work is complete, with the same report showing 60 per cent of civil construction is done.
This fall, construction by Canadian Fibre Optics Corp. is being concentrated in areas north and east of Rocky Mountain House, including rural properties along Hwy. 598 and Beaver Flats Road.
Meanwhile, in the south end of the county, contractor ROHL Global Networks has completed 480 km in the Caroline, Crammond, Ricinus and James River Bridge areas.
Elsewhere, Canadian Western Infrastructure Corp. has completed 164 km north of Hwy. 12.
To date, the latest broadband report shows the network has passed nearly 2,300 homes, with more than 1,000 customers requesting that their homes be connected to fibre.
This fall, customers in Ferrier, Ferrier Acres North, Crimson Lake South, Misty Valley, Horburg, Nordegg, Strachan and Clearwater College areas are expected to be connected to fibre.
Comments