By Dave Dentinger - Blackburn News Sarnia, May 24, 2019Ontario�s Infrastructure Minister was in Lambton Shores Friday to reiterate his government�s commitment to expanding broadband internet into the southwest.Monte McNaughton echoed announcements made in Norfolk County and Wellington County this week that the Doug Ford Conservatives are providing up to $63.7 million to Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology. (SWIFT)Calls for bids from market players are to go out later this year.SWIFT is a not-for-profit corporation initiated by local municipalities to address connection issues in the region.McNaughton, the MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, held a news conference at the Forest Glen Herb Farm.�I�ve heard too many stories about parents sitting in fast food parking lots or going to the local library to get Wi-Fi for their kids� homework,� said McNaughton. �We want rural residents and businesses to be able to stream high-speed internet from their homes, farms and businesses. It�s time smaller communities across the province joined the digital economy.�The southwest investment is part of a $315 million provincial commitment to ensure communities across Ontario have access to high-speed internet and better cell phone service.McNaughton was joined by Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey and Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Ernie Hardeman for Friday�s announcement.
