Ontario's Infrastructure Minister was in Lambton Shores Friday to reiterate his government's commitment to expanding broadband internet into the southwest.
Monte McNaughton echoed announcements made in Norfolk County and Wellington County this week that the Doug Ford Conservatives are providing up to $63.7 million to Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology. (SWIFT)
Calls for bids from market players are to go out later this year.
SWIFT is a not-for-profit corporation initiated by local municipalities to address connection issues in the region.
McNaughton, the MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, held a news conference at the Forest Glen Herb Farm.
"I've heard too many stories about parents sitting in fast food parking lots or going to the local library to get Wi-Fi for their kids' homework," said McNaughton. "We want rural residents and businesses to be able to stream high-speed internet from their homes, farms and businesses. It's time smaller communities across the province joined the digital economy."
The southwest investment is part of a $315 million provincial commitment to ensure communities across Ontario have access to high-speed internet and better cell phone service.
McNaughton was joined by Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey and Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Ernie Hardeman for Friday's announcement.