NIAGARA REGION – The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing more than $1.6 million to bring reliable high-speed internet to 677 families, farms and businesses in Niagara Region.
“Providing reliable internet access is especially important for rural communities to prosper in our increasingly digital world,” said Vance Badawey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre, on behalf Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “This announcement will ensure that homes, businesses, and farms in the Niagara Region can connect to essential online services and enjoy the additional economic opportunities.”
“Access to a high-speed internet connection is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity” said Chris Bittle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament for St. Catharines.
The federal and provincial governments have partnered with Southwest Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Inc. and are proud to announce that residents in the communities of Chantler, Becketts Bridge and O’Reilly’s Bridge, now have broadband infrastructure in place to enable access to high-speed internet service.
“Our government continues to deliver on its commitment to expand access to high-speed internet to communities across the province,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
This announcement marks the completion of another project under SWIFT and builds on the Ontario government’s plan to get the right infrastructure in the right places, ensuring people can live, work and farm where they want.
“We know reliable internet access is a gateway to growth in rural Ontario,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.
“This new expansion of rural broadband in the Town of Pelham will connect more families and businesses to high-speed internet. I know constituents in Niagara West will gladly welcome this new SWIFT project.”