Yatton, Creek Bank, and Goldstone now have access to fast, reliable internet
WELLINGTON COUNTY – More than 270 residents and businesses in Wellington County now have access to fast, reliable internet service due to the completion of construction of broadband infrastructure in the community.
Wellington County’s Yatton, Creek Bank, and Goldstone communities can now take advantage of this over $2 million infrastructure network project that will deliver reliable internet access to more homes and businesses and will help create jobs and economic growth in the county.
Both the Governments of Canada and Ontario each committed over $655,000 to fund the broadband network expansion to create more economic and educational opportunities in rural, remote and underserved areas of the county.
The contracts to expand 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. To date, more than 3,190 households and businesses in Southwestern Ontario have received access to improved broadband through SWIFT.
“I have been a long-time advocate for universal internet access and through this investment, I am happy to see that we are one step closer to achieving this goal,” said Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph. “I am proud of the work our government has done, in collaboration with the Province of Ontario, Western Ontario Warden’s Caucus and SWIFT, to work towards our goal of ensuring all Canadian homes and businesses across Canada are connected and have access to high-speed internet. It is our government’s priority for each and every Canadian to have quick, reliable internet service, so that they may have access to essential services that are critical to ensuring the health, safety, and wellbeing of their families.”
“The construction of broadband infrastructure in the communities of Yatton, Creek Bank, and Goldstone, is now complete, and more people in Wellington now have access to fast, reliable internet service,” said Ernie Hardeman. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “This is an important step forward in our plan to deliver broadband that supports better educational opportunities, attracts more businesses and create jobs in Wellington County.”
“For many years, I have advocated for reliable and affordable broadband for the people I represent,” said Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece. “I am very pleased that families and businesses in Yatton, Creek Bank, and Goldstone will have access to it because of today’s announcement. I want to thank all our local municipalities and everyone who worked to make it possible.”
“At a time when access to high-speed internet is more important than ever, we are proud to be working alongside the governments of Ontario and Canada to bring greater connectivity to Southwestern Ontario,” said Gary McNamara, SWIFT Board Chair. “Today we are pleased to announce that an additional 275 homes and businesses in Wellington County now have access to fast, reliable internet service.”
Efforts continue to bridge the gaps in broadband access in Southwestern Ontario, as part of a combined federal – provincial investment of more than $191 million to bring fast, reliable and affordable internet to thousands of homes and businesses. This will allow communities to attract new development, strengthen local economies and create more well-paying jobs and opportunities in rural Ontario
Quick Facts
- The governments of Canada and Ontario are each contributing more than $63 million to SWIFT through the New Building Canada Fund’s Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – Small Communities Fund of the Investing in Canada plan.
- SWIFT Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation initiated by the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus to address connectivity in Southwestern Ontario that will support the critical expansion of broadband to underserved areas.
- The 2021 Budget commits a historic new investment of $2.8 billion in broadband infrastructure to ensure that every region in the province has access to reliable broadband by the end of 2025. This brings the Province’s total investment to nearly $4 billion over six years. This proactive approach is the largest single investment in broadband, in any province, by any government in Canadian history.
- The Ontario government will continue to expand access to broadband and cellular service through the Improving Connectivity for Ontario program (ICON). It has doubled its investment in the program to $300 million. This multi-year program aims to support approved projects as early as 2021.
- The Province has invested in initiatives to improve connectivity across Eastern and Southwestern Ontario. It has also invested in broadband projects through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and the Next Generation Network Program.
- Expanding access to broadband is part of Ontario Onwards: Ontario’s COVID-19 Action Plan for a People-Focused Government, which includes more than 30 projects that will change the way people and businesses interact with government.
SOURCE Province of Ontario
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