Peterborough: Canada has announced funding of $1 million for Nexicom to bring new or improved high-speed Internet access and capacity to rural Ontario.
Nexicom is contributing $334,600, for a total investment of more than $1.3 million, said a government statement.
The additional high-speed Internet projects in Ontario are possible thanks to the top-up to the Connect to Innovate program announced in Budget 2019. As a result of this investment, residents of Warsaw, in Douro-Dummer township, will be able to connect with family and friends, do business online, participate in distance education and take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the digital age.
Backbone Networks: Connect to Innovate is investing in building the digital backbone of high-speed Internet networks. Backbone networks are the digital highways that move data in and out of communities. These highways carry large amounts of data that are essential for schools, hospitals, libraries and businesses to function in a digital world.
The funding announced yesterday builds on numerous steps the Government of Canada has taken to improve Internet access for Canadians. High-speed Internet access is essential for Canadians in rural and remote communities to thrive in the digital economy. High-Speed Access for All: Canada’s Connectivity Strategy is the Government’s plan to ensure that, over time, all Canadians will have access to affordable high-speed Internet, no matter where they live. It also commits to improving mobile wireless coverage where Canadians live and work, as well as along major highways and roads.
“Canadians living in rural communities have told us that to be competitive in the 21st century, they first and foremost need access to reliable and affordable high-speed Internet. Being connected is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity,” said Maryam Monsef, Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality.
“Canada’s Connectivity Strategy is the federal government’s plan to ensure that, over time, all Canadians will have access to reliable and affordable high-speed Internet, no matter where they live. Investments like the one announced today help grow our local economies, build stronger and more inclusive communities, and safeguard the environment and the health of Canadians for years to come. By investing in the infrastructure that communities need, our government is creating the conditions that will enable all Canadians to reach their full potential and share in our nation’s prosperity.”
“Nexicom is pleased to partner with the federal government to improve broadband services in Warsaw and surrounding areas. This partnership will help us provide the residents of these areas with the services they need to fully participate in the digital world and take advantage of the social, economic and educational opportunities that exist today,” said Clayton Zekelman, President, Nexicom.
Quick Facts
In Budget 2019, the Government proposed historic investments of up to $6 billion for high-speed connectivity and committed to topping up Connect to Innovate as part of this funding.
Through Connect to Innovate, the Government is extending high-speed Internet service to over 900 rural and remote communities, of which 190 are Indigenous. Connect to Innovate projects have the potential to impact up to 380,000 households. Announcements on further investments will be forthcoming.
Rural Opportunity, National Prosperity: An Economic Development Strategy for Rural Canada outlines ways to maximize federal investments to improve the quality and resiliency of community infrastructure, create good jobs, support trade and investment, strengthen skills, and welcome newcomers in rural communities.
Through the $180-billion Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, Canada’s rural and northern communities are benefiting from the renewal of public infrastructure, which includes investments in roads, bridges and highways; water treatment systems; cleaner, more affordable sources of electricity; stormwater systems; and natural barriers that reduce the risk of flooding brought on by extreme weather events.
$2 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects that meet the unique needs of rural and northern communities; and $400 million is being delivered through the Arctic Energy Fund to deliver cleaner, more affordable electricity to residents living in Canada’s territories.
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