(AGENPARL) – lun 13 marzo 2023 [Ontario Logo]
NEWS RELEASE
Governments of Canada and Ontario invest over $13 million to bring high-speed internet access to more than 6,400 homes across Eastern Ontario
Rural communities to benefit from increased connectivity to high-speed internet
March 13, 2023
All Canadians need reliable and affordable high-speed internet, no matter where they live. The governments of Canada and Ontario are taking action to bring high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved communities.
Today, Jenna Sudds, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth and Member of Parliament for Kanata–Carleton, on behalf of the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, together with Merrilee Fullerton, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kanata–Carleton, announced over $13 million in federal and provincial funding for Bell Canada to bring high-speed internet access to more than 6,400 homes in the communities of Arnprior, Braeside, Burnstown, Carp, Constance Bay, Dunrobin, Fitzroy Harbour, Glasgow Station, Kinburn, Marathon Village and White Lake.
Today’s announcement builds on the Government of Canada’s progress toward ensuring that 98 per cent of Canadians have access to high-speed internet by 2026, and 100 per cent by 2030. The announcement also brings the Government of Ontario closer to achieving its goal of bringing reliable high-speed internet access to every community by the end of 2025.
Quick Facts
– Today, 93.5 per cent of Canadian households have access to high-speed internet or are targeted to receive access through existing program commitments, compared to just 79 per cent in 2014.
– The Ontario government is investing nearly $4 billion to bring access to reliable high-speed internet to every community across the province by the end of 2025. This is the largest single investment in high-speed internet in any province, by any government in Canadian history.
– As of February 2023, Ontario has finalized agreements totalling more than $2.2 billion for nearly 200 high-speed internet and cellular projects across the province.
Quotes
“We all know that internet is no longer a luxury in this day and age—it’s a necessity. Access to fast, reliable internet helps rural Canadians by levelling the playing field to access essential services like health care and education, participate in the digital economy, or simply connect with loved ones. Our government will continue to work side by side with our partners to achieve our connectivity targets and ensure every Canadian, no matter where they live, has access to high-speed internet by 2030.”
– The Honourable Gudie Hutchings
Minister of Rural Economic Development
“Access to high-speed internet will create jobs, improve health and safety for all, and help bridge the rural-urban divide. Our government is working hard to ensure that everyone, no matter where you live, can take part and thrive in a digital world, which is why we are working to connect every community in Ontario to high-speed internet by the end of 2025.”
– Jenna Sudds
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth and Member of Parliament for Kanata–Carleton
“Our government recognizes how critical access to high-speed internet is for Ontarians. That is why we have made it a priority to bring reliable high-speed internet access to every community by the end of 2025. Through these projects, we are ensuring that people will have access to critical health services and will be able to learn and work online, participate in the agriculture sector and connect with their loved ones.”
– The Honourable Kinga Surma
Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure
“Reliable, quality internet service is essential for business and home-based employees, and it is tremendous that West Carleton will now be able to depend on high-speed internet. This government investment will expand access to high-speed internet to over 6,400 homes across 11 communities in Eastern Ontario. It is part of the Ontario government’s objective to build a stronger business environment and more resilient communities for families, workers and businesses to grow and prosper in today’s digital world.”
– Merrilee Fullerton, MD
Member of Provincial Parliament for Kanata–Carleton
“We are proud to partner with the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario to expand our all-fibre broadband network to even more communities in Eastern Ontario. Our fast and reliable internet connections help people in rural and remote communities stay connected at home and at work. Through our own fully funded investments and through partnerships like this, Bell continues to deliver on our goal of advancing how Canadians connect with each other and the world.”
– Bruce Furlong
SVP Network, Bell Canada
Additional Resources
Media Contacts
Government of Canada
Hugo Alvarez
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Rural Economic Development
Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Government of Ontario
Andrea Chiappetta
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure
Sofia Sousa-Dias
Communications Branch
Ministry of Infrastructure
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