Canada and Ontario Increasing Access to High-Speed Internet Service in Huron County

HURON COUNTY – The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing more than $3.8 million to bring fast, reliable high-speed internet to more than 1,570 families, farms and businesses in Huron County.

In partnership with Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Inc, the completion of construction of broadband infrastructure is now providing access to fast, reliable high-speed internet service to more than 1,090 families, farms and businesses in the communities of Summerhill, Henfryn, Thames Road, Lumley, Hurondale, Wroxeter, Gorrie and Fordwich. Both levels of government have each committed nearly $1.6 million to these projects.

“Providing reliable internet access is especially important for rural communities to prosper in our increasingly digital world,” said Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “Today’s announcement will ensure that thousands of homes, businesses, and farms in Huron County can connect to essential online services and enjoy the additional economic opportunities made available through high-speed internet.”

In addition, both governments combined to invest more than $676,000 to support construction of additional infrastructure networks in Huron County, to provide access to high-speed internet service to more than 170 families, farms and businesses in the community of Marnoch.

“I am proud that our government continues to deliver on our commitment to expand access to high-speed internet in rural communities across the province,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and MPP for Huron - Bruce. “Building this new broadband infrastructure in Huron County is going to help build rural Ontario and strengthen communities by helping people stay in connected with loved ones and enabling them to access supports they need. This critical infrastructure will have lasting benefits for our entire community.”

With the support of investments from the County of Huron, construction is also underway of broadband infrastructure to provide access to high-speed internet service for 310 families, farms and businesses in rural areas near Blue Water Beach, and in rural areas south of the community of Benmiller by June 2023.

Providing access to high-speed internet in these communities brings Ontario one step closer to delivering in its goal to connect every community with high-speed internet access by the end of 2025, while also building stronger rural communities.

“Together with our community partners, SWIFT continues to increase access to high-speed internet service across Southwestern Ontario,” said Gary McNamara, SWIFT Board Chair. “The new high-speed connections that are being made through the completion of these fibre-optic projects in Huron County will provide residents with access to greater digital opportunities, help businesses to expand and further support economic growth throughout the region. We would like to thank the federal and provincial governments for the ongoing support as we continue to work together to accelerate the expansion of broadband infrastructure to bring greater connectivity to many more rural and small-town communities.”

The contracts to expand broadband services in Huron 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 to more than 63,000 households and businesses in Southwestern Ontario through SWIFT by the end of 2025.