We all know that Internet is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity. If we are to build a Canada that is fair for every generation, we must make sure everyone has access to reliable high-speed Internet. This is especially true in rural communities – namely Indigenous communities – that have historically been underserved.
I was honoured to celebrate the first customer connections under the Universal Broadband Fund in the Town of Georgina. This significant milestone for underserved residents of York Region marks a crucial step towards providing reliable, high-speed internet access.
This is a result of our $19 million investment through the Universal Broadband Fund to help YorkNet connect thousands of underserved households in York Region. The Universal Broadband Fund is a $3.225 billion program designed to make sure we bring high-speed Internet to each and every corner of the country by 2030.
We committed to bringing high-speed Internet access to 98% of Canadian households by 2026, and those hardest to reach places by 2030, to get us to 100%. 94.5% of households in Ontario already have access to high-speed Internet, compared to just 82.6% in 2014.
For people in rural and remote Ontario, a dependable, high-speed Internet connection can be lifechanging. It means new, better access to healthcare, education and help when you need it. I am proud of the work our federal government has done in funding the Universal Broadband Fund along with our partners The Government of Ontario and The Regional Municipality of York. Together, we are connecting communities and people and building a stronger more vibrant future.
