Ontario Increasing Access to High-Speed Internet in Niagara
Caistor Centre – As part of the Ontario government’s plan to connect every community to high-speed internet by 2025, more than 700 homes, farms and businesses in West Lincoln will have access to high-speed internet service by December 2022, thanks to the construction of a new $3.3 million infrastructure network in several communities within the township.
“We know reliable Internet access is a gateway to growth in rural Ontario,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.
“This new expansion of rural broadband in Niagara will connect more families and businesses to high-speed Internet. I know constituents in Niagara West will gladly welcome this new SWIFT project.”
The expanded fibre-optic service is supported by the governments of Canada and Ontario, each committing up to $923,000. The contract to expand broadband services was awarded by Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Inc, a not-for-profit corporation, initiated by local municipalities to address connectivity in Southwestern Ontario.
“Access to a high-speed Internet connection is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity,” said Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities.
“By investing in projects like this, our government is supporting rural Ontarians to connect with family, keep up at school, run a business and access essential medical services. It is more important than ever for Canadians to have access to high-speed internet and our government is committed to building the infrastructure they need to be connected.”
“Our government has made access to high-speed internet a priority for rural Ontario, and we’re delivering on that commitment,” said Hon. Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
“New connections like the ones announced today, will help families stay in touch and help people access the supports they need, while providing a much-needed boost to the local economy. This is the type of critical infrastructure that benefits the entire community.”
“The SWIFT project has been designed to bring broadband connectivity to underserviced areas of Ontario, said Robert Foster, Councillor for the Regional Municipality of Niagara and Board Member of SWIFT.
“Internet is a basic necessity that is required in today’s world for all businesses, including modern agriculture. The projects identified for West Lincoln met all the SWIFT criteria and I am pleased that we are moving forward with this construction for the Township’s citizens.”
The completion of this project gives farms and businesses in the communities of Caistorville, Abingdon, Caistor Centre, Fulton, Kimbo, Allen’s Corners, Grassie and Grimsby Centre, the ability to attract new customers, grow their operations, create new jobs, and stay competitive in today’s digital marketplace. It will also help people connect online to work, access digital government services, shop, and stay in touch with family and friends.
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 58,000 households and businesses in Southwestern Ontario through SWIFT.
“In partnership with the governments of Ontario and Canada, we are pleased to mark the start of construction on a high-speed fibre optic project that will bring service to more than 760 homes and businesses in Niagara Region,” said Gary McNamara, SWIFT Board Chair.
“With today’s announcement we can proudly report that all of SWIFT’s awarded projects in Niagara have now begun construction and that high-speed Internet will soon be available to many more residents as a result.”