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Canada and Ontario Increasing Access to High-Speed Internet Service in Middlesex County

New broadband infrastructure will strengthen rural communities by staying connected

January 13, 2023

Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

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MIDDLESEX COUNTY – The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing more than $1.8 million to bring fast, reliable high-speed internet to more than 640 homes, farms and businesses in Middlesex County.

In partnership with Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Inc, the completion of construction of broadband infrastructure in the county is now providing access to fast, reliable high-speed internet service to families, farms and businesses in the communities of Putman, Crampton, Avon, Mossley, Harrietsville, Gladstone, Kerwood, Napperton and Strathroy.

“Providing reliable internet access is especially important for rural communities to prosper in our increasingly digital world,” said Peter Fragiskatos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for London North Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “Today’s announcement will ensure that hundreds of homes, businesses, and farms in Middlesex County can connect to essential online services and enjoy the additional economic opportunities made available through high-speed internet.”

“I’m proud that our government continues to deliver on our commitment to expand access to high-speed internet in rural communities across the province,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Building new broadband infrastructure in Middlesex County is helping to connect rural Ontario and strengthen communities by helping people stay connected with loved ones and enable them to access supports they need. This critical infrastructure will have lasting benefits for the entire community.”

The contracts to expand broadband services in Middlesex County were awarded by SWIFT, a not-for-profit corporation initiated by local municipalities to improve connectivity in Southwestern Ontario.

“To remain competitive and grow, businesses need high-speed connectivity,” said Rob Flack, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London. “The completion of this SWIFT project is opening the door for more families and businesses to expand into communities where there were previously limited resources. This investment complements our government’s ongoing commitment to rural Ontario, and is allowing people to live, work, and farm, where they want.”

“With the support of the governments of Ontario and Canada, SWIFT is successfully delivering on it’s commitment to expand access to high-speed internet service throughout Southwestern Ontario,” said Gary McNamara, SWIFT Board Chair. “As we continue to work together with our community partners to drive greater connectivity across the region, we are pleased to mark the completion of two additional high-speed internet projects in Middlesex County that are now collectively providing more than 640 homes and businesses with access to fast reliable broadband service.”

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 63,000 households and businesses in Southwestern Ontario through SWIFT by the end of 2023.

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.
  • On July 29, 2021, a Canada-Ontario broadband partnership was announced. This agreement will bring high-speed internet access to more than 280,000 households across Ontario through a total investment of more than $1.2 billion, co-funded equally by both levels of government.
  • The Ontario Government is investing nearly $4 billion to bring high-speed internet access to every corner of the province by the end of 2025. This proactive approach is the largest single investment in high-speed internet, in any province, by any government in Canadian history.
  • In 2021, Ontario passed the Supporting Broadband and Infrastructure Expansion Act, 2021 to help speed up construction of broadband projects. Ontario is also helping to remove barriers, duplication and delays, making it easier and faster to build high-speed internet infrastructure through the Getting Ontario Connected Act, 2022, which was passed unanimously by the Legislature on April 11, 2022. This legislation helps ensure underserved and unserved communities across the province have access to reliable high-speed internet sooner and will help the government achieve its commitment to connect every region with access to high-speed internet by the end of 2025.
  • High-speed internet puts ServiceOntario at your fingertips. It gives people access to more than 40 Ontario government services to make it easier and faster to get things done without having to leave home. Visit Ontario.ca/Renew to renew your driver’s licence, health card and licence plate when it’s convenient for you. If you can’t access our services online, you can book an appointment at many locations at Ontario.ca/Appointment.
  • You can now sign up for digital reminders by email, text or phone call to renew your documents so there’s no need to keep track of paper renewal forms. Go online at Ontario.ca/Reminders to sign up now or call ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 (TTY 1-800-268-7095).

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Media Contacts

Jack Sullivan
Minister's Office
jack.sullivan@ontario.ca

Connie Osborne
Communications Branch
OMAFRA.media@ontario.ca
519-826-3145