Mr. Speaker, this past Friday marked the completion of the Eastern Ontario regional networks fibre optic backbone. The backbone project involved the installation of a 5,500 kilometre fibre optic cable, which has vastly improved Internet access to Eastern Ontario.
This $170 million initiative was supported through investments from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, along with money from the private sector. The network provides world class, high-speed broadband access to an estimated one million residences and businesses in the region and will stimulate economic growth in Eastern Ontario.
On behalf of the Eastern and Northern Ontario caucus, we extend our thanks to the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus and Jim Pine, CAO of Hastings County, on this great accomplishment, which has come in on budget and on time to meet current and future needs and to further unlock the economic potential of Eastern Ontario.