NEWS RELEASE
OFFICE OF SAM OOSTERHOFF
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WAINFLEET – Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, announced the successful completion of three fibre-optic broadband infrastructure projects in Niagara this week. As part of the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology 1.0 initiative, these projects have brought high-speed internet access to 5,406 previously underserved homes and businesses across the region.
Oosterhoff was joined at the Central Fire Station in Wainfleet by Steve Pinsonneault, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Rural Affairs, as well as Brian Grant, Mayor of the Township of Wainfleet, and Rob Foster, Regional Councillor and Treasurer of Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology, to announce the successful completion of the projects.
"We know reliable internet access is a gateway to growth in rural Ontario," said Oosterhoff.
"This expansion of rural broadband across Niagara is connecting more families and businesses to high-speed internet, helping bridge the connectivity gap in rural communities across our region."
The recently completed projects include the construction of two fibre-optic networks by Bell Canada, covering a total of 245 kilometres across several communities, including St. Anns, North Pelham, Colemans, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Point Abino, Sherkston, Lorraine, Bethel, Willow Bay, Long Beach, Wainfleet, Ostryhon Corners, Chambers Corners, Winger, Forks Road, Perry and Wellandport.
These networks have provided much-needed high-speed connectivity for 4,634 homes and businesses, addressing critical needs and supporting economic and social development in these areas.
"Our government is delivering on our promise to bring high-speed internet to communities throughout the province," said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs. "With the installation of new fibre-optic broadband infrastructure in Niagara, we are connecting over 5,000 homes and businesses and boosting the growth of our rural communities. This investment ensures families can stay connected, businesses can reach more customers, and individuals have access to essential online services."
"Our government is improving connectivity in Niagara, bringing us another step closer to our goal of providing every community across Ontario with high-speed internet access by the end of 2025," said Hon. Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. "The province is investing more than $63 million to support Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology projects that will enable connectivity for homes and businesses across southwestern Ontario. This investment is part of our government’s historic $4 billion plan to accelerate the delivery of high-speed Internet projects in communities across province."
Cogeco has deployed fibre-optic cabling along more than fifty-three kilometres of underserved roadway, enhancing access to high-speed internet within the communities of Grimsby Centre, Grassie, Allen's Corners, Kimbo, Fulton, Abingdon, Caistor Centre and Caistorville to provide 772 previously underserved homes and businesses with access to fibre-optic connectivity.
"The expansion of fast, reliable internet access to more Niagara homes and businesses will continue building Niagara's capacity to do business in today's connected, online economy," said Niagara Region Chair Jim Bradley.
These projects mark a significant achievement for the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology 1.0 program, a $273 million initiative to expand high-speed internet access to nearly 67,000 homes and businesses across Southwestern Ontario.
In Niagara, more than $25 million has been invested in broadband infrastructure through the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology 1.0 program, resulting in the completion of four fibre-optic projects. Together, these initiatives have provided high-speed internet access to 6,083 homes and businesses, providing essential broadband services that support economic growth, education, and community well-being.
Quick Facts:
- In addition to this announcement, Niagara Regional Broadband Network successfully completed a fibre-optic project spanning sixty-eight kilometres, bringing high-speed internet access to 677 previously underserved homes and businesses in the communities of Chantler, Becketts Bridge and O’Reilly’s Bridge in the Town of Pelham.
- Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology, in partnership with federal, provincial, and private sector investors, has committed over $25 million - including $8.8 million in federal and provincial funding through the New Building Canada Fund - Small Communities Fund - to provide high-speed internet to 6,083 underserved homes and businesses across Niagara as part of the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology 1.0 initiative.
- Of the total investment in Niagara, over $16.3 million has been contributed by service providers as part of the SWIFT 1.0 program.
- As part of the $273 million Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology 1.0 initiative, nearly 67,000 previously underserved homes and businesses across Southwestern Ontario now have access to high-speed internet, enhancing connectivity throughout the region.
- As part of the 2.0 Project, Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology has been awarded $34 million in funding from the Ontario government to fill connectivity gaps, expanding access to high-speed internet to 3,133 underserved homes and businesses in hard-to-reach areas throughout Southwestern Ontario.
Additional Resources:
- Ontario Bringing High-Speed Internet Access to Southwestern Ontario
- Ontario Connects: Making high-speed Internet accessible in every community
- Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology
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