The MPP for Hastings Lennox and Addington says the COVID pandemic is the “straw that broke the camel’s back” when it comes to internet funding.
On Thursday, the province announced $1 billion for increased broadband internet and mobile phone service across the Ontario.
Member Daryl Kramp says this was a government priority before, however since the COVID pandemic has ravaged the region, province, country, and the world, the Ontario government had no choice but to pull the trigger.
The Eastern Ontairo Regional Network is a $210 million project that the province has already allocated more than $70 million to. The federal government, municipal governments, and private industry are also part of EORN. More details on the project are available by CLICKING HERE
Kramp says they had already committed about $307 million, but in an increasing digital age, more money was needed. The extra money does not mean more money will go to any particular project, but Kramp says it is necessary in a digital age.
BELOW IS THE MEDIA RELEASE FROM MPP DARYL KRAMPS OFFICE
The Ontario Government’s historic investment of nearly $1B over six years to improve and expand broadband and cellular access across the province will boost the efforts underway in Eastern Ontario, says MPP Daryl Kramp.
“The $680M to be announced by Finance Minister Rod Phillips in today’s Budget is on top of the $315M to support Up to Speed: Ontario’s Broadband and Cellular Action Plan,” said MPP Kramp.
“Over the past several months, Ontario has partnered with the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) to invest $71M in a $213M project to improve access to cellular service and mobile broadband in Eastern Ontario,” said Kramp. “This new funding will be used for shovel-ready projects.”
Details were provided yesterday ahead of the release of Ontario’s 2020 Budget by Premier Doug Ford, Rod Phillips, Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure, and Peter Bethlenfalvy, President of the Treasury Board, at the local Haliburton County Public Library in Minden Hills.
“By providing high-speed broadband to unserved and underserved communities like Minden Hills, we will create good jobs, unlock new opportunities for businesses and people, and improve the quality of life for individuals and families,” said Premier Ford. “With the world online these days, if we are going to attract more investment to Ontario and compete in this highly competitive global marketplace, we need every part of our province connected with high-speed Internet.”
“Tomorrow, I’ll introduce Ontario’s 2020 Budget, the next phase of Ontario’s Action Plan,” said Minister Phillips. “The first pillar of this action plan is Protect, making good on Premier Ford’s commitment to do whatever it takes to get through the pandemic. The second pillar is Support, because we know COVID-19 has brought severe challenges and economic difficulties to families and employers across the province. The third pillar is Recover and includes today’s historic investment in broadband. Through initiatives like this our government is laying the foundation for a strong economic recovery and a successful future.”
“Improving Access to Broadband and Cellular Services is a signature project of the Ontario Onwards Action Plan to make vital programs and services more convenient, more reliable, and more accessible,” said Minister Bethlenfalvy. “At present, 1.4 million Ontarians lack access to broadband services that meet the CRTC’s minimum service standards, many in rural and northern areas. Today, we are ensuring more people and businesses can have safe and secure online access to the programs and services many of us already enjoy.”
