| LAMBTON COUNTY – The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing more than $770,000 to bring reliable high-speed internet to 580 families, farms and businesses in Lambton County. The community of Lambton County also invested more than $2.5 million towards completion of this project.“Providing reliable internet access is especially important for rural communities to prosper in our increasingly digital world,” said Peter Fragiskatos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for London North Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “Today’s announcement marks another milestone for homes, businesses, and farms in Lambton County that can now connect to essential online services and enjoy the additional economic opportunities made available through high-speed internet.”The federal and provincial governments and Lambton County have partnered with Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Inc. and are proud to announce that residents in the communities of Wanstead, Rokeby, Walnut and Sutorville 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. “By building new broadband infrastructure in Lambton County, we’re helping to build Ontario and strengthen rural communities. This investment is helping people stay in touch with loved ones, enabling them to access the supports they need while providing a much-needed boost to the local economy.”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.“The need for fast, reliable broadband service in rural Lambton County is critical,” said Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey. “The completion of this project is great news for over 580 families in this region who can now take advantage of modern, reliable internet service in their homes and at their businesses.”The contracts to expand broadband services in Lambton County were awarded by SWIFT, a not-for-profit corporation initiated by local municipalities to address connectivity in Southwestern Ontario.“We’re pleased to announce the successful completion of a 150-kilometre high-speed fibre optic network, providing reliable connectivity to over 580 previously underserved homes and businesses in the rural communities of Wanstead, Rokeby, Walnut, and Sutorville,” said Gary McNamara, SWIFT Board Chair. “This significant investment in broadband infrastructure, made possible through the collaborative efforts of SWIFT, our community partners, and the continued support of the governments of Ontario and Canada, unlocks new social and economic opportunities for Lambton County and the region.”More than $255 million has been invested by the governments of Canada and Ontario and the private sector to bring high-speed internet access to more than 63,000 homes and businesses in Southwestern Ontario through SWIFT by the end of 2023. |