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WHEREAS the Government of Canada, via the
CRTC, has committed to bring 50/10 broadband service (the Universal Service
Objective, being 50 megabytes per second download speed and 10 megabytes per
second upload speed ) to 90% of Canadians in 2021, 95% in 2026 and 100% by
2030;
AND WHEREAS increased funding from both the
Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada is urgently needed to
address Southwestern Ontario’s large connectivity gaps, so that we can close
the digital divide and restart our economies;
AND WHERAS in order to reduce the digital
divide within Southwestern Ontario, and to achieve the CRTC’s 95% target by
2026, it will cost an estimated $1B;
AND WHEREAS the current CRTC targets and
federal funding programs do not specifically address the many rural, remote,
and northern communities in Canada that continue to be unserved or
underserved by internet service providers (ISP);
AND WHEREAS access to high-speed/capacity
broadband is vital to municipal sustainability, economic development and
diversification, and overall community and social development;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council
of the County of Brant supports Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology
(SWIFT) as Southwestern Ontario’s funding mechanism to advance the expansion
of critical broadband infrastructure across Southwestern Ontario;
AND THAT the Council of the County of Brant
requests the Government of Canada provide direct funding of $254 million and
the Government of Ontario provide direct funding of $221 million to SWIFT to
support development of high speed (50 megabits per second and faster)
community broadband;
AND THAT a copy of the preceding resolution
be provided to Provincial Minister, The Honourable Laurie Scott,
Infrastructure Ontario, and Federal Minister, The Honourable Maryam Monsef,
Minister for Women and Gender Equality Rural Economic Development.
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