Funding will add more than 660 homes, farms, and businesses to high-speed internet access.
By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com; Photo by Sveta Fedarava on Unsplash
On April 20, 2022, OMAFRA (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) made its second (of eventually three) announcement of the day, stating that Perth and Middlesex counties are up next to gain better broadband internet access, uniting a combined 660+ farms, homes and businesses.
Earlier that day, OMAFRA made an announcement regarding 1,500 people gaining better access in Brant County.
The plan is for every community in Ontario and Canada to have high-speed internet access by 2025.
The federal government on the Ontario provincial government have invested over $3.2 million in total to bring high-speed internet to:
- Perth County: Listowel, Amulree, Mennonite Corner, Ratzburg, Hampstead, and Lisbon;
- Middlesex County: Caradoc, and Thames Centre.
“Fast and reliable internet connection is vital to the growth and prosperity of all Canadian communities,” said Jennifer O’Connell, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “Our government is working with the Government of Ontario to make it faster and easier for communities across Perth County and Middlesex County to connect with loved ones, customers, essential services, and the world.”
Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs added, “Our government is getting it done and delivering on its commitment to provide access to high-speed internet throughout rural Ontario.
“Projects like these that connect more communities to high-speed internet are crucial to building a stronger Ontario by helping families and farmers stay in touch with loved ones, enabling them to access supports they need while providing a much-needed boost to the local economies.”
The deal to expand broadband services was contracted to Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Inc., a not-for-profit corporation, initiated by local municipalities to address connectivity in Southwestern Ontario.
Randy Pettapiece, MPP for Perth – Wellington stated: “Raising a family, living or working in a rural community should not be a barrier to internet access. I’m extremely pleased that SWIFT is bringing this much-needed infrastructure to many businesses and residents in our community. These investments will bring new opportunities for these areas and builds on our government’s efforts to expand high-speed internet throughout Ontario.”
Over $255 million has been invested by the Canadian federal government, the provincial government of Ontario and the private sector to bring high-speed internet to over 63,000 households and businesses in southwestern Ontario through SWIFT by the end of 2025.
“With new high-speed fibre-optic connections now being made available through the SWIFT program in both the counties of Perth and Middlesex, today’s announcement marks yet another milestone for SWIFT and our partners as we move the region one step closer to a more connected Southwestern Ontario,” said Gary McNamara, SWIFT Board Chair. “We would like to thank the federal and provincial governments for their ongoing support as we continue to work together to accelerate the expansion of broadband infrastructure to drive greater connectivity throughout Southwestern Ontario.”