The Ontario government is introducing legislation to help bring reliable high-speed internet to underserved and unserved communities sooner.
If passed, the changes would remove barriers, duplication and delays, making it easier and faster to build high-speed internet infrastructure across the province.
The Getting Ontario Connected Act, would provide a $900 million investment into tools and assurances that internet service providers need, to get shovels in the ground as early as this summer.
“Ontarians expect and deserve reliable internet service wherever they live, learn or do business,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy.
“By removing barriers to high-speed internet expansion, more Ontarians will be able to access public services, such as health care and education, operate businesses and access employment opportunities.”
The new legislation would also improve Ontario One Call’s processes of determining the location of underground infrastructure like telecommunications lines, water mains and gas pipelines, known as locates.
In 2021, Ontario One Call processed over 1 million locate requests.
