More rural households in Ontario will have easier access to high-speed internet.
The federal and provincial governments Tuesday announced up to $24 million in funding to bring high-speed internet to rural households in over a dozen communities including Brooke-Alvinston, Oil Springs, Pelee Island, Wheatley Harbour, Tilbury, and Lucan.
The funding is part of a $1.2 billion agreement announced last summer to support large-scale, fibre-based projects to provide high-speed internet access to 280,000 rural and remote households across the province.
"Access to reliable, high-speed internet is equally as important to rural residents and businesses as it is to those in larger urban centres," said Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey.
Ontario Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma said the government has a comprehensive plan to help connect every Ontarian with access to reliable internet service by the end of 2025.
"No one will be left behind," said Surma. "By working together with our federal partners and internet service providers, we are expanding access to high-speed internet to more communities across the province-including southwestern Ontario, so everyone can access critical health services, learn, work, start a business and connect with their loved ones, all online."
Tuesday's joint funding announcement will benefit up to 1,180 households.