A plan to expand internet and cell phone service

By MPP Toby Barrett

To The Haldimand Press

The Ontario government has announced plans to improve and expand internet and cell phone service in rural and remote communities.

For years, I’ve been hearing from people in the riding – and I hear these complaints in my own home as well – about poor service. This announcement will help families stay connected. It’s going to help students with their homework. It’s going to help both large and small businesses and farms be part of Ontario’s digital economy.

Too many people in rural and remote communities do not have access to reliable internet access. It means they can’t work from home, stay connected to family and friends, or access public services such as health care and education. In our increasingly digital world, being disconnected means being disadvantaged. This must change.

The investment of $315 million in this plan includes $150 million for a new broadband program, which will leverage private sector funding along with support from other levels of government to drive investment and expansion in unserved and underserved communities.