The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how much we rely on our Internet connections, making access to fast and reliable Internet service even more critical. For too long, many rural Canadians have lacked access to high-speed Internet, impacting their ability to work, learn and keep in touch with family and friends. The pandemic has made addressing this divide even more urgent. That's why the governments of Canada and Ontario are accelerating their investments in broadband infrastructure.

Terry Sheehan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (FedNor) and Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie,  on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development and Member of Parliament for Peterborough–Kawartha, Announced a historic agreement to bring high-speed Internet to 8,566 households in Nipissing-Timiskaming. 

The Honourable Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming says, “Broadband is critical infrastructure, and the pandemic has made this more apparent than ever. This investment will allow residents in Nipissing-Timiskaming to have access to high-speed Internet, which will create jobs, improve health and safety for all, and help bridge the rural-urban divide”

Under this agreement, the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario have partnered to support large-scale, fibre-based projects that will provide high-speed Internet access to all corners of the province by 2025.

Details of the project include connecting 100 percent of the households in Mattawa, Rutherglen, Bonfield, Calvin, East Ferris, Astorville, Chiswick, Kiosk, East Ferris, Powassan, Callander, Hornell Heights, Redbridge, Trout Creek, Nipissing, Nipissing Beach, Alderdale, Chiswick, Nipissing Junction, and North Bay through an agreement with Bell Canada.

Rota says, “The investments being made today will create incredible potential for our riding. Residents will soon have access to reliable high-speed Internet so that they can work, learn and keep in touch with their loved ones from home and it allows small businesses to serve customers. Access to high-speed Internet is critical for economic development and for our regions overall recovery from the pandemic.”

Watch the full announcement here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_ys42WaRGQ