The leaders of southwestern Ontario municipalities have re-affirmed their commitment to the implementation of the SWIFT network. That's a regional ultra-high-speed fibre-based broadband network.
The Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus agreed to the incorporation of a new organization to support universal fibre optic infrastructure to the entire southwest region.
Broadband access is an important tool in economic and social revitalization. It's essential for unemployed and underemployed people, farmers, small and medium sized businesses, large commercial enterprises, school boards, hospitals, First Nations, and county and municipal governments.
"Municipalities with large rural areas face particular challenges," said the newly re-acclaimed chair of the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, Mayor Randy Hope of Chatham-Kent. "We have made some real progress in addressing them."
Hope was speaking at the end of the Annual General Meeting and Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus Regular Meeting in Chatham.
The Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus is a not-for-profit organization representing 15 upper and single tier municipalities in southwestern Ontario with more than three million residents.
The WOWC is also seeking more predictable funding for critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, rail and bus transportation, social housing and high speed Intranet.
