TMCnet News
Government of Canada invests to bring high-speed Internet to 144 more households in Lemonville and Locust HillOntarians in rural communities to benefit from increased connectivity OTTAWA, ON, April 7, 2021 /CNW/ - The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how much we rely on our connections. Now more than ever, Canadians across the country need access to reliable high-speed Internet as many of us are working, learning, and staying in touch with friends and family from home. Right now, too many Canadians living in rural and remote communities lack access to high-speed Internet. Through the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) Rapid Response Stream, the Government of Canada is taking immediate action to get Canadians connected to the high-speed Internet they need. Today, Helena Jaczek, Member of Parliament for Markham–Stouffville, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, announced just under $125,000 in funding for Bell to bring high-speed Internet to rural residents of Lemonville and Locust Hill. This project will connect 144 underserved households to high-speed Internet:
The project being announced today was approved within five months of the November 2020 formal launch of the $1.75-billion Universal Broadband Fund. Projects funded under the UBF, as well as through other public and private investments, will help connect 98% of Canadians to high-speed Internet by 2026 and achieve the national target of 100% connectivity by 2030. Today's announcement builds on the progress the Government of Canada has already made to improve critical infrastructure in Ontario. Since 2015, the federal government has invested more than $2.85 billion in over 4,060 infrastructure projects in Ontario communities with populations of fewer than 100,000 people. These investments mean 481 km of new or upgraded roads that are making our communities safer; more than 938 projects to provide residents with cleaner, more susainable sources of drinking water; and more than 5,427 additional housing units built in rural communities, helping ensure all Ontarians have a safe place to call home. Quotes "Congratulations to Bell and the communities of Lemonville and Locust Hill on today's important broadband announcement. This investment will bring reliable, high-speed Internet access to 144 households in these two communities, helping create jobs, improving access to health care and online learning services, and keeping people connected to their loved ones. I will continue working to make sure our communities here in Markham and Whitchurch-Stouffville have access to the critical infrastructure they need." "Fast, reliable and high-capacity broadband networks will be key to the COVID-19 recovery and to social and economic opportunities for all stakeholders into the future. Bell has committed to further accelerating our industry-leading capital investment plan over the next two years to bring world-class broadband connections to even more communities. We're proud to partner with the Government of Canada by investing $302,400 to connect rural households in Lemonville and Locust Hill to the fastest fibre home Internet speeds available." Quick facts
Associated links
Stay connected Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada |