CALEDON, Ont. — The town of Caledon in Ontario (about 50 kms north of Toronto) has launched a petition asking the federal and provincial members of parliament for Dufferin-Caledon to work with their respective governments to have broadband declared an essential service.
The petition is backed by the municipality and addressed to Conservative MP Kyle Seeback and Conservative MPP Sylvia Jones (who is also Ontario’s solicitor general). In addition to lobbying for broadband to be declared an essential service, the petition asks the governments to help facilitate telecommunication access to existing infrastructure, including underutilized or dark fibre-optic networks and hydro poles in support of affordable and reliable broadband expansion in the region.
It’s unknown at this point how much dark fibre may be running through Caledon.
“Similar to telephone and hydro, broadband has become essential for residents, businesses, youth, schools and for municipalities to deliver public services. Most businesses including agriculture require it to operate, and it has become a key component of economic development. Current and future residents expect to have access to high speed internet for both personal and professional endeavors. Much of the school curriculum has become dependent on students having access to internet and a computer at home,” reads the petition.
“Access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet allows individuals and communities to thrive. Covid-19 has demonstrated the essential role broadband plays in ensuring everyone has access to essential information and services. At a time when family and friends are looking to stay connected through digital means and businesses are updating online functionality, broadband connectivity is increasingly important,” continues the petition.
“There are unserved/underserved rural communities in Caledon that lack access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet. While the Town of Caledon has taken proactive measures to temporarily fill this gap, there are telecommunication infrastructure networks that have already been built and could be better used to their full potential. Deeming broadband as an essential service will make it more feasible for additional and smaller internet service providers to access conduit and provide service to rural communities.”
