News Release
For Immediate Release
Government of Canada highlights nearly $15.5 million in funding to bring high-speed Internet access to 3,659 households in Ontario
Households in rural communities to benefit from the funding to increase access to high-speed Internet
April 22, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Today, Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour, on behalf of the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, along with Marc Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages and the Honourable Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming, highlighted nearly $15.5 million in combined federal and provincial funding for two projects to bring high-speed Internet access to 3,659 households in rural Ontario.
Funding details for these previously announced projects are as follows:
This funding is part of a collaboration between Ontario and Canada. On July 29, 2021, the governments announced their partnership to support large-scale, fibre-based projects that will provide high-speed Internet access to more than 280,000 rural and remote households across the province. This historic agreement was made possible by a joint federal-provincial investment totalling more than $1.2 billion.
This investment builds on the Government of Canada’s progress toward ensuring that 98 percent of Canadians have access to high-speed Internet by 2026, and 100 percent by 2030. As we work to rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic and grow the economy, the federal and provincial governments will continue to make investments in infrastructure to build strong communities and a more competitive and resilient Ontario and Canada for everyone.
Through its broadband initiative, the Canada Infrastructure Bank is collaborating with the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario to improve the commercial viability of projects.
Quotes
“We need to close the connection gap and ensure that every nook and cranny of Ontario has access to reliable high-speed Internet—whether that’s in Oil Springs or Carlsbad Springs or all the way on the shores of Lake Superior. This investment of nearly $15.5 million in funding to connect 3,659 rural households in the province is a milestone for Ontarians. Investments like these help create jobs, improve access to health care and online learning services, and keep us connected to our loved ones. The Government of Canada will continue to make investments like these to help achieve our national target of connecting 98 percent of Canadians by 2026 and 100 percent by 2030.”
– The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development
“The pandemic has shifted much of our lives online and has transformed how we live, work, learn and do business. But, more importantly, rural communities in Ontario are without access to high-speed Internet and are getting left behind. Because of our government’s investments today, more Canadians will have access to high-speed Internet.”
– Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie
“This is excellent news for rural Ontario. High-speed Internet access is an essential service that has only been made more vital due to the pandemic. Our government knows that it is urgent and critical to connect rural and remote regions throughout Canada, including the Nickel Belt–Greater Sudbury area.”
– Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages
“This is great news for the residents of Mattawa, Rutherglen, Kiosk, and Bonfield. Broadband Internet is an essential tool for everyday life, and the COVID-19 pandemic has shown more than ever how much everyone needs reliable access to high-speed Internet. The enhanced broadband service that will result from this investment in infrastructure will greatly benefit residents in their day-to-day lives and businesses in their operations.”
– The Honourable Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing–Timiskaming
Quick facts
Associated links
Contacts
Government of Canada
Luka Vujic
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Rural Economic Development
343-571-9582
[email protected]
Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
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