Several communities in our area will have better access to high-speed internet, thanks to a joint project between the federal and provincial governments.
Officials from both levels of government announced about $30.8-million is going to Bell Canada infrastructure improvements serving 9,329 homes across Haliburton County and Kawartha Lakes.
Of the 28 communities getting the upgrade, 15 are in Haliburton County: Carnarvon, Eagle Lake, Fort Irwin, Gooderham, Haliburton, Horseshoe Lake, Ingoldsby, Irondale, Lochlin, Lutterworth, Minden, Moore Falls, Peterson Corner, Tory Hill, West Guilford.
Officials say the project is set to finish before December of 2025, as part of a provincial promise to bring reliable high-speed internet to all of Ontario before the end of that year. Meanwhile, the feds have promised high-speed internet to 98 per cent of Canadians by 2026, and 100 per cent by 2030.
“We all know that internet is no longer a luxury in this day and age — it’s a necessity,” says Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development. “Access to fast, reliable internet helps rural Canadians by levelling the playing field so they can access essential services like health care and education, participate in the digital economy, or simply connect with loved ones. Our government will continue to work side by side with our partners to achieve our connectivity targets and ensure every Canadian, no matter where they live, has access to high-speed internet by 2030.”