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

The governments of Ontario and Canada are investing more than $630,000 combined to bring fast, reliable high-speed internet to approximately 470 homes, farms and businesses in Simcoe County.

“High-speed internet access is essential for all Canadians, no matter where they live,” said Tony Van Bynen, Member of Parliament for Newmarket—Aurora, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “Teleworking, long-distance learning, and many essential services increasingly require reliable broadband. Starting construction on a new network for the community of Severn Bridge also builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment to have all Canadians connected to high- speed internet by 2030.”

Both governments are each contributing over $315,000 to support construction of broadband infrastructure to provide access to high-speed internet service for 470 homes, farms and businesses in the community of Severn Bridge by December 2022. This announcement builds on the Ontario government’s plan to connect every community to high-speed internet by 2025.

“Our government continues to deliver on our commitment to expand access to high-speed internet to communities across the province,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “By building new broadband infrastructure in Simcoe County, we are helping to build Ontario and strengthen rural communities. This investment is helping people stay in touch with loved ones, enabling them to access the supports they need while providing a much-needed boost to the local economy.”

“It’s exciting to see this important high-speed internet infrastructure project get underway,” said Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North. “This investment will help improve the lives of hundreds of residents in the community of Severn Bridge, who will greatly benefit from this internet expansion. I’m proud that the government is getting it done and building the critical infrastructure needed to build rural Ontario and support our residents here in Simcoe North.”

The contracts to expand broadband services in Simcoe County were awarded by Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Inc, a not-for-profit corporation, initiated by local municipalities to address connectivity in Southwestern Ontario. More than $255 million has been invested by the governments of Canada and Ontario and the private sector to bring high-speed internet access to more than 63,000 homes and businesses in Southwestern Ontario through SWIFT by the end of 2025.

“Today we are pleased to mark the start of construction of a fibre-to-the-home network in Simcoe County that will soon provide 470 underserved homes and businesses in the community of Severn Bridge with access to high-speed broadband service,” said Gary McNamara, SWIFT Board Chair. “Having access to high-speed internet is key to unlocking economic and social opportunities in our highly connected world and we would like to thank the governments of Ontario and Canada for the ongoing support as we continue to work together to accelerate the expansion of broadband infrastructure throughout Southwestern Ontario.”