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

PERTH COUNTY – The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing more than $2.2 million to bring fast, reliable high-speed internet to 471 families, farms, and businesses in Perth County.

“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 homes, businesses, and farms in Perth County can connect to essential online services and enjoy the additional economic opportunities made available through high-speed internet.”

The federal and provincial governments have partnered with the Southwest Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Inc., and are proud to announce that residents in Donegal, Britton and Tralee now have access to high-speed internet service.

“Our government continues to deliver its commitment to expand access to high-speed internet to communities across the province,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “By building new broadband infrastructure in Perth 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.”

This announcement builds on the Ontario government’s plan to build the right infrastructure, in the right places, ensuring people can live, work and farm where they want.

“It is great to see more of our rural communities being connected to high-speed internet,” said MPP Matthew Rae, Member of Provincial Parliament for Perth-Wellington. “As many families and business owners know, in today’s interconnected world, high-speed internet is vital. Our government is committed to expanding high-speed internet to every corner of Ontario by the end of 2025.”

The contracts to expand broadband services in Perth County were awarded by SWIFT, a not-for-profit corporation, initiated by local municipalities to address connectivity in Southwestern Ontario.

“Building and improving critical broadband infrastructure is key to promoting sustainable economic growth and social well-being in our small and rural communities across Southwestern Ontario,” said Gary McNamara, SWIFT Board Chair. “Together with the governments of Ontario and Canada, SWIFT continues to make strong progress in the expansion of high-speed broadband infrastructure across Southwestern Ontario and today’s announcement builds on our program’s commitment to drive greater connectivity throughout the region as we mark the completion of two additional high-speed fibre-optic projects in Perth County.”

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 2023.