Ontario Bringing High-Speed Internet Access to Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes

NEWS August 5, 2022

Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes – The Ontario government is bringing high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved homes and businesses in Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, marking another milestone in its plan to help connect every corner of the province by the end of 2025.
“Too many households and businesses across rural Ontario do not have dependable access to high-speed internet. I have long been an advocate for increasing access to broadband and reliable cellphone service here in Eastern Ontario. This announcement will really go a long way in approving connectivity throughout our region. Our government has a plan to build a bright future for Eastern Ontarians with shovels in the ground for highways, hospitals, housing and high-speed internet infrastructure,” said MPP Steve Clark for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.
“Our government is ensuring every community in Ontario has access to reliable high-speed internet,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “We are making a positive difference in the lives of individuals and families in areas such as Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes through our tremendous progress, more Ontarians will be able to have access to reliable high-speed internet no matter where they live.”
The government estimates there to be more than 5,160 underserved homes and businesses Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. Following a two-stage competitive process, Xplornet Communications Inc. has signed an agreement with the province to bring high-speed internet access to homes and businesses. In total, the province has signed agreements with eight internet service providers to bring access to up to 266,000 unserved and underserved homes and businesses in as many as 339 municipalities across Ontario.
Today’s announcement is part of Ontario’s historic investment of nearly $4 billion to bring access to reliable high-speed internet across the province, which will help ensure that every home and business, in every community, can participate in today’s economy.

QUICK FACTS
▪ The Ontario government has committed over $950 million to nearly 190 broadband, cellular and satellite projects to date, bringing faster internet access to over 375,000 homes and businesses across the province, and significantly improving cellular connectivity throughout Eastern Ontario.
▪ In 2021, Ontario passed the Supporting Broadband and Infrastructure Expansion Act, 2021 to help speed up construction of broadband projects. To build upon this legislation, the Ontario government passed the Getting Ontario Connected Act, 2022 which further reduces barriers, duplication and delays.
▪ Expanding access to high-speed internet is part of Ontario Onwards: Ontario’s COVID-19 Action Plan for a People-Focused Government, which includes more than 30 projects that are changing the way people and businesses interact with government.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
▪ Ontario Increasing Access to High-Speed Internet Across the Province
▪ Ontario Connects: making high-speed internet accessible in every community
▪ Historic Investment Plan Ensures Access to High-Speed Internet for All
▪ Ontario Takes Next Step to Expand High-Speed Internet Access
▪ 2022 Ontario Budget: Ontario’s Plan to Build
▪ Ontario Builds map

MEDIA CONTACT
Sydney Gubbles
Ministry of Infrastructure
sydney.gubbels@ontario.ca