Rural Small Businesses Need Access to High-Speed Internet and Cell Service!
- Amy Gilpin
- Apr 18, 2018
- 2 min read
Election time in Ontario is coming up fast! All major parties are making announcements on policy promises they say they will implement should they be elected. This includes the Ontario Liberal government’s announcement of a $71 million commitment to improve cell and broadband internet service in rural Eastern Ontario.
Wait… what?? (I literally read the article twice to make sure)
Yes, you heard me right.
According to an interview published in the Brockville Recorder and Times the Rural Affairs Minister Jeff Leal is quoted as saying: ‘When you have high-speed internet, you can operate anywhere in the world.’
He indicated that this was the only thing brought forward to the Province from the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus, as it is their number #1 focus for government. So kudos to ALL of Eastern Ontario’s County Wardens for that!
A word of caution though, before you get too excited! Further into the article, it says two things have to happen before this money can be allocated.
Of course, the first this is that the Liberals have to be re-elected in June. Anyone who knows me, knows where I stand on that situation, but I am, if nothing else, open-minded to good ideas. I personally believe that high-speed internet and cell service should be accessible to ALL rural small businesses.
The second, is that the $71 million commitment will not cover the full cost of the project, meaning the Federal government and service providers would also have to commit money to the project.
Here’s the bright side: Lisa Severson, spokeswoman for the Eastern Ontario Regional Network, says her group has taken the election into account and approached both the provincial PC and NDP caucuses about the issue. She indicated that no one said NO! Federal MP’s appear to be on board with the project as well. The EORN has had discussions with the federal government and indicate that things look ‘very positive’, as all MP’s from Eastern Ontario say they are on-board with the project.
As it stands right now, 18% of Eastern Ontario does not have cell coverage, with an additional 16% having only limited coverage from a single provider. Further indications suggest that overall, 65% of the existing infrastructure does not have sufficient capacity. It is estimated that the project would not only provide improved services to Eastern Ontario, but would also create an estimated 3,000 jobs over 10 years and bring an additional $420 million in business revenues to the region.
Regardless of what political stripes you wear, if you are a small business owner in rural Eastern Ontario (and I am!), this is something you’ll want to follow as the project develops.
The complete article, written by Wayne Lowrie, of Postmedia Network can be read here:
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