Dear Seeker,

World-class infrastructure is the backbone of our country’s economic productivity. If we want to grow our economy and create jobs here in Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry we must have up to date infrastructure.  From large-scale transportation projects to smaller-scale, community-based investments, infrastructure has the power to revitalize, strengthen, and improve the quality of life for all Canadians. Not all infrastructure projects are plainly visible, however. Too often when we think of infrastructure we think of roads, bridges and buildings. There is another, equally important, type of infrastructure required today and that is high-speed Internet.

On November 14, our Government was proud to celebrate the completion of Ontario’s largest rural broadband network project, the Eastern Ontario Regional Network, a project that is providing access to high-speed Internet to a region of more than one million people spread out over 50,000 square kilometres.

In a global economy, broadband Internet is as essential to individuals and community economic prosperity as electricity and roads. Access to high-speed Internet contributes to business development by providing new opportunities for innovation, expansion, and e-commerce.

The completion of this incredible project is the result of a successful partnership between various levels of government and private sector partners. The governments of Canada and Ontario each contributed $55 million, and the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus Inc. and private sector partners contributed the remaining funding for a total project cost of $170 million.

As a result, people across the counties of Hastings, Peterborough, Renfrew, Northumberland, Haliburton, Frontenac, Lanark, Prince Edward, Lennox and Addington, the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, as well as the City of Kawartha Lakes now have access to the latest in Web-based computer applications and information.

This is only one example of the difference we have made through investments in public infrastructure. And our government’s commitment to Canada’s future has never been stronger.  The New Building Canada Plan (NBCP) is the largest and longest federal infrastructure plan in our nation’s history.

With $70 billion being invested over the next 10 years, our Government will continue to support key infrastructure to enhance our economic productivity, and create jobs and economic growth across Canada and right here in Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry. Our Government is all about creating conditions that allow employers to expand their businesses and create jobs.

Guy Lauzon

Member of Parliament

Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry