Ontario Bringing High-Speed Internet Access to Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound
Province helping to connect more unserved and underserved homes and businesses
For Immediate Release
August 10, 2022
OWEN SOUND – The Ontario government is bringing high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved homes and businesses in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound marking another milestone in its plan to help connect every corner of the province by the end of 2025.
“I’m so pleased that our government is continuing to invest in our local communities” said Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Rick Byers. “We are committed to improving access to fast and reliable internet service that is so vital to our rural families and businesses.”
“Our government is ensuring every community in Ontario has access to reliable high-speed internet,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “We are making a positive difference in the lives of individuals and families in ridings such as Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound. Through our tremendous progress, more Ontarians will be able to have access to reliable high-speed internet no matter where they live.”
The government estimates that there are as many as 13,870 underserved homes and businesses in Owen Sound, Grey Highlands, Meaford, Hanover, Chatsworth, Georgian Bluffs, Southgate, West Grey, South and North Bruce Peninsula. Following a two-stage competitive process, four internet service providers (Bragg, Eh!Tel, Rogers, Xplornet) have signed an agreement with the province to bring high-speed internet access to these homes and businesses. In total, the province has signed agreements with eight internet service providers to bring access to up to 266,000 unserved and underserved homes and businesses in as many as 339 municipalities across Ontario.
This announcement is part of Ontario’s historic investment of nearly $4 billion to bring access to reliable high-speed internet across the province, which will help ensure that every home and business, in every community, can participate in today’s economy.
QUICK FACTS
- The Ontario government has committed over $950 million to nearly 190 broadband, cellular and satellite projects to date, bringing faster internet access to over 375,000 homes and businesses across the province, and significantly improving cellular connectivity throughout Eastern Ontario.
- In 2021, Ontario passed the Supporting Broadband and Infrastructure Expansion Act, 2021 to help speed up construction of broadband projects. To build upon this legislation, the Ontario government passed the Getting Ontario Connected Act, 2022 which further reduces barriers, duplication and delays.
- Expanding access to high-speed internet is part of Ontario Onwards: Ontario’s COVID-19 Action Plan for a People-Focused Government, which includes more than 30 projects that are changing the way people and businesses interact with government.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Ontario Increasing Access to High-Speed Internet Across the Province
Ontario Connects: making high-speed internet accessible in every community
Historic Investment Plan Ensures Access to High-Speed Internet for All
Ontario Takes Next Step to Expand High-Speed Internet Access
2022 Ontario Budget: Ontario’s Plan to Build
Ontario Builds map