Call to governments to support the Gig Project to bring Fibre to the Home

MAYORS, REEVES, WARDENS CALL ON FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS TO SUPPORT THE EORN GIG PROJECT TO BRING FIBRE TO THE HOME

On May 4, 59 heads of Council from across eastern Ontario gathered for a virtual meeting and voiced overwhelming support for the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) Gig Project, which aims to connect homes and businesses across the region with ultra-fast internet speeds. 

These municipal leaders are joining the Chairs of EORN, the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) and the Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus (EOMC) in urging the federal and provincial
governments to fund the region-wide Gig Project. The project would expand fibre to homes and businesses to deliver internet speeds up to 1 Gig (1,000 Megabits per second).

EORN has been seeking federal and provincial support for the public-private partnership valued at up to $1.6 billion. It would include investments by the federal and provincial governments, and the private sector, through EORN’s proven model for expanding connectivity in underserved regions.

EORN is requesting $200 million each from the federal and provincial governments. This is about six per cent of the total funds the governments of Canada and Ontario have committed
to broadband expansion. Given that recent analysis shows rural eastern Ontario accounts for about 30% of all under-served households in Ontario, the project offers tremendous value.

The EORN Gig Project offers a comprehensive solution that ensures the region can keep pace with rising demand for connectivity over the long-term. It is critical for the region’s economic
recovery from the pandemic and will support future economic growth and improved quality of life.

Highlights of the project

  • EOWC, EORN and EOMC are asking support from provincial and federal governments for EORN’s Gig project to bring up to 1 Gig (1,000 Megabits of speed) to residents and businesses in our municipalities.
  • All EORN is seeking is $200 million from each government for this $1.2 billion public private partnership project. That represents just 5.7% of all federal and provincial funding that is available.
  • Eastern Ontario has about 30% of all the underserved or un-served household in Ontario that currently cannot even get the minimum CRTC standard of 50 Megabits down and 10 Megabits up of speed.

About EORN

EORN, a non-profit created by the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC), works with governments and community organizations to improve and leverage broadband access to fuel
economic development and growth.

About the EOWC

Since its inception, the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus (EOWC) has worked to support and advocate on behalf of the 750,000 property taxpayers across rural eastern Ontario. The EOWC
covers an area of 45,000 square kilometres from Cobourg to the Quebec border, and includes 13 upper-tier and single-tier municipalities as well as 90 local municipalities. All members work together as a team, striving to ensure that conditions are in place to make Eastern Ontario the greatest place in the world to reside and do business.

About the EOMC

The Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus (EOMC) is made up of the Mayors of the 11 urban municipalities (separated, single tier) of Eastern Ontario. The committee meets quarterly as a
group with the municipal CAOs in attendance to discuss common issues relevant to municipalities in eastern Ontario.

For more information contact:

J. Murray Jones
Chair, EORN
Warden, Peterborough County
warden@ptbocounty.ca
(705) 743-0380

Debbie Robinson
Chair, EOWC
Warden, Renfrew County
warden@countyofrenfrew.ca
(613) 735-7288

Diane Therrien
Chair, EOMC
Mayor, City of Peterborough
DTherrien@peterborough.ca
(705) 742-7777

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