Governments commit $219M to broadband roll-out in 300 Ontario communities
The federal and provincial governments have announced combined funding of more than $219 million to help deliver high-speed internet infrastructure to more than 300 communities in Ontario.
The news was announced on August 28. The funding is being provided to Rogers for the deployment. It will include more than 66,000 households in underserved Ontario communities, including more than 600 Indigenous households.
“High-speed Internet access is essential to the success of everyone, especially those living and working in rural communities in Ontario and across the country,” said Treasury Board President Anita Anand. “These projects will help improve access to health care and online learning services, create jobs in these communities, and keep people connected to their family, friends and loved ones.”
In July 2021, the governments announced a partnership to support large-scale, fibre-based projects that will provide high-speed Internet access to more than 280,000 households across the province. Their combined investment totalled more than $1.2 billion.
The federal government is aiming to ensure that 98% of Canadians have access to high-speed Internet by 2026, and 100% by 2030. The Government of Ontario, meanwhile, expects to bring high-speed Internet access to every community in the province by the end of 2025.