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Call For Federal Money For Broadband Expansion

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Another call is being made for federal dollars to expand broadband service in rural and remote Ontario.

This comes from Ontario Infrastructure Minister Laurie Scott.

“So that all Ontarians can be on a level playing field on connectivity as we all live and work and learn from home. So this has been a priority issue that has come up with COVID.”

Scott stresses the province’s can’t act alone to connect everyone to allow them access to information on such things as healthcare, education, justice and government services.

She believes a unified approach involving all provinces will help convince the feds to take action.

Scott raised the issue with her Quebec counterpart this week.

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More Provincial Funds For Northern Broadband

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The Ontario government is investing more than $2.3-million in seven broadband projects that will support rural and Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario.

The money comes from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.

Keewaytinook Okimakanak is getting $139,130 to secure an 18-month contract for extended satellite bandwidth for Fort Hope, Martin Falls, Neskantaga and Webequie until permanent fibre optic cable is installed.

$110,942 will allow K-O upgrade broadband fibre optic cable in the Ojibway Nation of Saugeen.

Minister of Northern Development Greg Rickford says broadband is a key driver for economic growth, innovation and job creation and keeps our communities connected to their families and businesses.

The Kenora-Rainy MPP adds for too long, the north has lacked access to high-speed internet with limited connectivity in many remote communities.

Other projects receiving funding:
-$1,036,772 for the Corporation du Développement Économique et Communautaire (CDEC) de Dubreuilville to install fibre optic infrastructure from Wawa to Dubreuilville, as well as to plan and secure partnerships with telecommunications companies for future broadband improvement projects
-$461,971 for Ontario Research and Innovation Optical Network (ORION) to upgrade its fibre optic network and install 11 in-line amplifier sites between Sudbury and Thunder Bay
-$240,804 for Tbaytel to deliver internet services in the rural areas surrounding Thunder Bay, including the municipalities of Shuniah, Oliver-Paipoonge, Neebing and Fort William First Nation
-$232,500 for North Eastern Ontario Communications Network (NEOnet) Inc. to launch and administer its Broadband for Remote Areas program, which will provide grants to small- and medium-sized enterprises located in Northern Ontario to assist with the purchase and installation of specialized equipment that will provide two-way, high-speed internet service
-$173,000 for Mitaanjigamiing First Nation to upgrade broadband fibre optic cable and infrastructure in the community

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Ontario Focused On Improving Internet And Cell Service

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The provincial government is investing $150-million to expand broadband and cellular service in remote, and rural parts of Ontario, including the north.

Minister of Infrastructure Laurie Scott says the new ‘Improving Connectivity in Ontario program, when leveraged, has the potential to result in an investment of up to $500-million in total partner funding to improve connectivity.

Scott says they will start accepting applications from telecom companies, municipal governments, First Nations, and non-profits this summer.

The province will fund a portion of each approved project.

Premier Doug Ford says as many as 12% of households in the province are underserved or unserved.

“Reliable high-speed Internet is no longer a luxury, it’s an absolute essential part of our life. Internet connection is something that too many of us take for granted.”

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Kenora MP Promotes Internet Policy

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The Federal Conservatives have released a rural Internet policy.

Kenora MP Eric Melillo says we know all too well that there are significant gaps in our region, especially now during the coronavirus crisis.

“But given the fact that people are working from home, people are taking classes from home, or accessing government services. Right now during the COVID-19 pandemic, it just underscores how necessary it is to have reliable Internet connections.”

The Conservative Opposition’s Rural Internet Caucus policy document outlines how the government can improve Internet access in rural and remote regions and includes 14 recommendations.

Melillo says the government hasn’t taken a lot of action on the issue and he is hoping they take the recommendations seriously.

He calls them “Tangible and achievable measures that will help hundreds of Canadians.”

They include:

1. Alleviate short-term bandwidth shortages by requesting that ISP’s or other entities deploy portable Cell on Wheels in communities without Internet.
2. Develop a Canadian Broadband Strategy for rural Internet.
3. Create a Local Connectivity Infrastructure Fund.
4. Stop Big Telecom’s from profiting off of small business government funds.
5. Mandate transparency and accountability.
6. Require simple consumer contracts.
7. Implement a Municipal Ownership Model.
8. Changes to Spectrum Auctioning.
9. Addressing infrastructure concerns.
10. Provide industry-specific relief in light of COVID-19.
11. Extend deadlines for CRTC applications
12. Protect consumers and competition against predatory regional pricing.
13. Incentivize rural build outs through licensing.
14. Government investment according to an improved, results-oriented framework.

Conservative Eric Melillo also has presented the government with a petition that has been signed by hundreds of Canadians calling for action.

To hear more, visit the Audio link below.

 

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Slow/Limited Access To Internet Hurting The North

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A new study from the Northern Policy Institute finds faster broadband services aren’t available right now.

Sean Rosairo says about 121,000 people in northern Ontario aren’t able to use the web to communicate.

Rosairo says for those living in rural and northern communities, Internet infrastructure can be lacking and it can become frustrating or impossible to work at home.

“If you have two kids in classes at the same time, that’s pretty much half of your whole Internet. Let’s say the parents are also on video conferencing using the same software. That’s going to get really, really tight in terms of speed.”

He stresses to make matters worse, places we used to go to get faster Internet like the library or our favourite coffee shop are now off limits because of COVID-19 physical distancing.

The report calls for more broadband support from senior levels of government.

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Kenora MP Pushes For Broadband Expansion

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The MP for Kenora is hoping the federal government makes broadband expansion a priority in the new session of Parliament.

Eric Melillo says there has been no mention of rural connectivity in northern Ontario since the minority Liberals took over.

“A lack of reliable high speed Internet hinders the ability of rural Canadians to access information, receive services and compete in the Canadian economy.”

The Conservative member says enhanced broadband is a necessity in order for students, workers and business owners to participate equally in society.

 

 

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Province Asked To Enhance Internet Service

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A call has been made to improve broadband service in northern communities.

The request comes from Grand Council Treaty #3.

Senior Political Advisor Gary Allen says they need provincial help to improve the situation.

“The benefits of broadband access are widely known, yet the cost of access and the expense of installing and maintaining the wires and boxes that make broadband possible in rural and remote areas is often out of reach.”

Allen stresses First Nations communities can’t afford to foot the bill on their own.

Allen says the best way to describe Internet connectivity in Treaty 3 territory is “uneven and substandard.”

He notes service for the 28 communities they serve varies widely, stressing reliable Internet is critical, especially when it comes to health care.

Allen made the comments at pre-budget consultations in Sioux Lookout this week.

 

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Federal Government Asked To Improve Internet Quality

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Kenora MP Eric Melillo has sponsored a federal petition calling on the government to make internet access a priority across northwestern Ontario.

The Conservative member says residents in this area are at a disadvantage because of poor connectivity.

“Many constituents in my riding have been concerned with the Throne Speech making absolutely no reference to rural broadband connectivity. Internet is becoming increasingly more and more essential for participation in modern life.”

The Liberals say they have made massive investments in connectivity and state all homes will be hooked up to high speed internet by 2030.

A link to the survey can be found by visiting https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-2344

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Provincial Funding For Broadband Expansion In The North

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Ontario is investing $30 million in the Matawa broadband project that will help more than 670 homes and institutions in the remote north.

Premier Doug Ford made the announcement in Thunder Bay, saying reliable and affordable Internet is vital.

“It’s important for school, for business, to bring everyone together. Imagine if I went home to my four girls and told them, by the way, there’s no internet. They would go wild.”

The project will provide modern telecommunication services to five Matawa-member communities: Nibinamik, Neskantaga, Eabametoong, Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations.

The Matawa broadband project is part of ‘Up to Speed: Ontario’s Broadband and Cellular Action Plan’, a $315 million investment to improve and expand broadband and cellular service.

The plan includes a $150 million commitment to increase coverage in unserved and underserved communities, including remote First Nation communities.

The Matawa broadband project will give communities access to education, training and skills development, as well as business opportunities to help the region compete in the global economy.

It will also enhance government services, from e-health services to enhanced emergency management systems.