High-Speed Internet Coming To Laurentian Valley

McGuinty Government Partners On Local Infrastructure Project

Ontario is helping the Township of Laurentian Valley and the Town of Petawawa bring high-speed Internet to residents and businesses.

Laurentian Valley and Petawawa are among 14 Ontario municipalities moving forward with plans to build local broadband infrastructure in partnership with the provincial government. The province is providing the municipalities with $700,908 for this project, through the Rural Connections Broadband Program.

The municipalities plan to partner with an Internet Service Provider to undertake the infrastructure build and contribute to the project.

The province's Rural Connections Broadband Program helps rural municipalities build high-speed Internet projects in their communities. The program's goal is to bring broadband access to rural and remote areas currently underserved in southern Ontario.

QUOTES

"Since 2007, we have been filling in the broadband gaps in rural Ontario and turning miles into milliseconds. I am delighted that the Township of Laurentian Valley and the Town of Petawawa are part of this strategic move. Broadband Internet connects rural families and businesses with opportunities in commerce, health, education and community enrichment."
- Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

"This is a giant leap forward for the people of Laurentian Valley. We have worked hard to come up with an infrastructure strategy that will provide high-speed Internet to most of our residents and make our area more attractive for economic development."
- Mayor Jack Wilson

QUICK FACTS

• Today's announcement of 14 new, rural broadband projects brings the total to 47 in less than two years.
• The Township of Laurentian Valley collaborated on this proposal with the Town of Petawawa.
• Broadband connectivity delivers more Internet information at speeds far greater than dial-up service.
• In the fall of 2007, 18 projects marked the first wave of broadband infrastructure projects undertaken jointly by rural municipalities and the province. In November 2008, 15 new projects were launched.
  

LEARN MORE

About the Rural Connections Broadband Program.

For more information, contact:

Sherry Persaud, Minister's Office, 416-326-6439
Brent Ross, Communications Branch, 416-326-9342

For information about the Laurentian Valley project contact:
John Baird, CAO, Township of Laurentian Valley, 613-735-6291