Municipal leaders across Canada continue to press the federal government for more resources to establish high speed Internet service in rural areas across the country.

It appears those pleas are finally being heard according to RM of Macdonald councillor Doug Dobrowalski, who returned this week from Halifax where the Federation of Canadian Municipalities held its annual convention.

Dobrowalski, who has been a director with FCM for the past 10 years, said improving Internet service in rural Canada has been a priority with the organization for a number of years.

"It sounds like there is going to be more funding allocated in this infrastructure program which is great news. The Prime Minister was one of the keynote speakers at the conference and he emphasized the need for the federal government to invest more in infrastructure."

Dobrowalski said there was a greater focus on rural infrastructure needs at this year's conference, and that's encouraging.

"At one time FCM seemed to be like a big cities conference, but more and more rural content is being added and the issue of broadband service is at the top of the list. Right across this country there is poor service everywhere and if you want to attract business to your community you have to have Internet these days."

Dobrowalski is frustrated that companies like Bell/MTS refuse to provide service to customers in rural areas, especially when the cables are already in the ground.

He said it's great to see local communities and groups are banding together to create their own Internet co-ops to service their local needs.

"It's really helping some of the real rural areas to get access to the Internet," he said.