According to government stats, 93.5% of Canadian households have access to high-speed Internet, compared to just 79% in 2014. Given that the Internet is an essential part of life now — a necessary basic utility, many would say — that number should be even closer to 100.
In an effort to tackle the struggles of rural Canadians to access quality, reliable Internet, the Governments of Canada and Ontario have announced funding of over $71 million for Bell Canada and Cogeco to bring access to 74 underserved communities, benefiting over 22,000 homes.
“We are ensuring that no one will be left behind,” said Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma.
This funding is part of an existing partnership between the feds and the province. In July 2021, the two governments announced their broadband partnership aiming to provide high-speed Internet to over 280,000 homes in Ontario, via large-scale, fibre-based projects.
As reported by IT World Canada, the two governments have invested more than $120 million into these projects, aimed at underserved communities across Ontario. You can see a map of projects happening here.
The Canadian government has its own commitment of ensuring that 98% of Canadians have access to high-speed by 2026, and 100% by 2030. This Universal Broadband Fund is a $3.225 billion investment.
For their part, the Ontario government has a goal of bringing high-speed to every community, province-wide, by the end of 2025.
As IT World Canada also reports, other provinces are spearheading their own rural high-speed connectivity projects. Earlier this year, the federal government announced an investment of $94 million in Newfoundland and Labrador. And just a few days ago, they announced a joint investment of over $3 million with British Columbia to bring high-speed to more than 800 households, including close to 500 in Indigenous communities.
