Farms, businesses, and homes to reap the benefit of increased broadband internet service in Simcoe County.
By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com; Photo by JJ Ying on Unsplash
For the rural communities of Ontario, efforts to provide complete provincial-wide broadband internet service by 2025 continue.
Via a recent announcement, the governments of Canada and Ontario are applying financial resources of over $360,000 to bring reliable high-speed broadband internet capabilities to approximately 470 homes, farms, and businesses in Simcoe County, Ontario.
“High-speed internet access is essential for all Canadians, no matter where they live,” said Tony Van Bynen, Member of Parliament for Newmarket-Aurora, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, minister of the Federal Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “Teleworking, long-distance learning, and many essential services increasingly require reliable broadband. Starting construction on a new network for the community of Severn Bridge also builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment to have all Canadians connected to high-speed internet by 2030.”
Both governments will contribute over $315,000 each to support the construction of broadband infrastructure to provide access to high-speed internet service for the community of Severn Bridge by the end of December 2022.
“Our government continues to deliver on our commitment to expand access to high-speed internet to communities across the province,” stated Lisa Thompson, the Minister of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). “By building new broadband infrastructure in Simcoe County, we are helping to build Ontario and strengthen rural communities. This investment is helping people stay in touch with loved ones, enabling them to access the supports they need while providing a much-needed boost to the local economy.”
Jill Dunlop, the MPP for Simcoe North added: “It’s exciting to see this important high-speed internet infrastructure project get underway. This investment will help improve the lives of hundreds of residents in the community of Severn Bridge, who will greatly benefit from this internet expansion. I’m proud that the government is getting it done and building the critical infrastructure needed to build rural Ontario and support our residents here in Simcoe North.”
The contracts to expand broadband services in Simcoe County were awarded by Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Inc., a not-for-profit corporation, initiated by local municipalities to address connectivity in southwestern Ontario. More than $255 million has been invested by the governments of Canada and Ontario and the private sector to bring high-speed internet access to more than 63,000 homes and businesses in Southwestern Ontario through SWIFT by the end of 2025.