The provincial government is spending an additional $680-million to upgrade broadband and cellular service across Ontario.
The investment is on top of $315-million already announced earlier this year.
The nearly one billion dollars in funding will be used for shovel-ready projects this year.
Peter Bethlenfalvy is the President of the Treasury Board and says they will be working with municipalities and telecom companies.
“Our governments commitment to expand and improve broadband service will help connect communities across our province and ensure they have the same access to online services that many Ontarians already enjoy.”
Bethlenfalvy notes “This means a parent can schedule a doctors appointment for their child from home. A bricks and mortar business could provide e-commerce solutions to sell their products and services online. Or an Indigenous student in a remote community could access online learning resources.”
He adds “We’re committed to building a government that puts the people at the centre of everything we do. Because we can not afford to be an off-line government in an online world.”
Request for proposals are now being accepted for underserved and unserved communities.
Minister of Infrastructure Laurie Scott says they are now hoping the federal government comes on board with matching funding.
According to CRTC data over 1.4-million people in Ontario don’t have broadband or cellular access, and as many as 12% of households are underserved or not served at all.
