The Wekitowak project would have provided broadband internet for 72 remote communities in the province, which have the worst internet connectivity anywhere in Canada outside the territories. (Winnipeg Free Press)

Talking point: Ottawa cut its planned spend following a dispute between two Indigenous groups, and despite a request from one of them to continue negotiations. The project was originally scheduled to be completed by March 2021. The federal government is now encouraging reserves to apply for money under its new $1.7-billion Universal Broadband Fund. That pool of money is its latest attempt to get faster internet to remote communities. It’s expediting applications due to COVID-19, but private telecoms, which often receive the money, have said they may need to pull back on network investments.