Where parties stand on broadband connectivity, AI in Ontario election

With Ontarians heading to the polls Thursday, issues such as the tariff fight with the United States and the province’s doctor shortage have come into focus in party platforms–but broadband connectivity and artificial intelligence have popped up, too. Conservative Premier Doug Ford’s platform states that given power once again, the party would “continue investing” nearly $4 billion on getting high-speed internet to every community in the province by the end of the year. According to the platform document, as of September 2024, 100,000 previously unserved and underserved homes and businesses have been connected. As of the end of August, the province said it had finalized agreements worth about $2.5 billion for more than 270 high-speed internet projects. Ford had earlier this year pledged to cancel a $100 million contract with Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) subsidiary Starlink following U.S. president Donald Trump’s initial tariff threats, though such a move appears to have paused. The contract is to connect 15,000 eligible homes and businesses in rural and northern communities by this June. Blue Sky Economic Growth Corp.’s third annual northern Ontario broadband report found that there is a lag in rollout of internet connectivity in the area but that it is getting better. The provincial NDP pledged that they would move to fix the problem of connectivity in the north more quickly and promised to cut up the Starlink deal, replacing it with “a Canadian alternative that offers better value and security for Ontario consumers.” The NDP, led by leader of the opposition Marit Stiles, also said it would “strongly” support the Ontario Creates and Ontario Arts Council programs “to ensure people throughout the arts and culture sector have the support and respect they need.” “We will also partner with Ontario’s francophone community to grow and promote book publishing, film and television, live performance, and cultural festivals in French,” the party said. Mike Schreiner’s Green Party made a connectivity pledge of its own, stating it would aim to “use regulations to level the playing field for small, local internet service providers.” The Green Party also says it would “enact policies to ensure affordable access to high-speed internet, particularly for low-income households and small businesses.” The Liberal Party, led by former Mississauga mayor and federal member of parliament Bonnie Crombie, does not include mention of any broadband initiatives in its platform. The Wire Report’s request for comment on any such plans was not returned. As for other efforts, the Liberals would “leverage the best available Canadian innovation, technology, and artificial intelligence,” as part of its efforts to manage spending while implementing its plans. The party says it would also create an Office of Cost Control, cut down on outsourcing, and improve efficiency and project delivery. In the “protecting Canada, creating jobs” section of their platform, the Conservatives say they would support investments in “innovative critical technologies” such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, in support of “the future of defence technologies.” The party would also use AI to “further accelerate the identification and implementation of red tape and regulatory burden reduction across all of government.” The Conservatives pledge to come up with a “strategic framework for energy-intensive data centres,” such as co-locating power generation with data centre assets. news@thewirereport.ca

Where parties stand on broadband connectivity, AI in Ontario election

Telecom |
By Wire Report Staff
| February 25, 2025

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

Where parties stand on broadband connectivity, AI in Ontario election

Telecom | By Wire Report Staff | February 25, 2025

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Related Stories

Telus purchases Alberta fibre network O-Net

TekSavvy and Rogers reach agreement in copper decommissioning dispute

Bell postpones appeal against CRTC fibre access decision

Canada and Ontario invest $4 million towards Internet rollout

Reuse & Permissions

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

Telecom |
By Wire Report Staff
| February 25, 2025