Guelph Eramosa - Canada and Ontario are delivering on their commitment to create even more economic and educational opportunities in rural, remote and underserved areas of the province through an improved, modern broadband network in Southwestern Ontario. Today, the province celebrated the first customers to receive high-speed internet in Wellington County through the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) project.
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ernie Hardeman, was joined by Randy Pettapiece, MPP for Perth-Wellington, and Ted Arnott, MPP for Wellington-Halton Hills to mark the occasion.
Construction of the infrastructure network between Ariss and Elora in Wellington County is expected to be completed by September 2021. This project is valued at more than $2.6 million with the governments of Canada and Ontario each having committed more than $900,000 in support.
The contracts to expand high-speed fibre-optic broadband services in Wellington 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.
"We invested to connect nearly 400,000 households by 2023 through the Connect to Innovate program," said the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development. "Work is underway every day and in the next 18 months, we will connect 250,000 of these households. Our ambitious plan is working because we are working with our partners at the community level. We are about to open new calls for proposals to connect 100% of Canada's communities to reliable, quality internet access. Our number one goal over the coming months will be supporting high quality plans and applications from every community who needs better access. Together, with partners like those involved here in Wellington County, we will achieve universal internet access so that geography does not determine any Canadian's access to this essential service. Congratulations to all involved in the completion of this first project by SWIFT!"
"Having high-speed internet is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity," said Minister Hardeman. "Far too many families and businesses in our community are frustrated because they don't have a reliable internet connection. Our government's investment in Wellington County will help connect them and create new opportunities."
"I have been supporting the SWIFT proposal to expand affordable, high-speed Internet in our riding since 2014," said MPP Ted Arnott. "I want to thank everyone who's been involved, especially our partners in municipal government and the Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus."
"Today's announcement represents the first in-service customer on a SWIFT funded network and is a major milestone for the project as we continue to move forward with the rollout of our Southwestern Ontario broadband expansion plan," said David Mayberry, SWIFT Board Chair. "Together with the support of the Government of Ontario and Canada, and in partnership with our municipal leaders, SWIFT will continue to deliver on its commitment to bring fast, reliable internet services to the region's rural and underserved areas."
"Without funding for new high-capacity, high-quality infrastructure, costs would remain prohibitive. The funding provided by the governments of Ontario and Canada has not only made these projects feasible, it has stimulated competition and encouraged partnerships," said Antonius Peeters, CEO of EH!tel. "We at EH!tel firmly believe that the benefits of this funding will, in the long run, exceed the borders defined by the selected projects and will allow broadband services to be extended to other communities."
The governments of Canada and Ontario recognize how important rural broadband access is for individuals, families and businesses. Work continues to bridge the gaps in broadband access in Southwestern Ontario, as part of a combined $190 million investment to bring fast, reliable internet to thousands of homes and businesses.
Creating more ways to strengthen rural economies is part of the government's plan to build Ontario together. Reliable and affordable broadband internet will allow communities to attract new development, strengthen local economies and create more well-paying jobs and opportunities in rural Ontario.