The Council of the Township of Whitewater Region heard a notice of motion to direct staff to submit a letter under the Mayor’s signature to the Warden of Renfrew County, Chair of Eastern Ontario’s Wardens Caucus, Eastern Ontario Regional Network, our MPP and MP to seek their advocacy in using more specific data to allocate broadband funding in rural areas.
Councillor Nicholson said that the government’s national broadband map, which ‘provides a snapshot” of internet availability, “Doesn’t talk about what’s actually available on the ground.”
He said that the map is what the developers use when they put in for funding, which means that Whitewater is seen as having suitable coverage.
He said that the map does not also account for latency, and that the delays inhibit internet usability.
He said that an example was that Haley’s station had high-speed access due to underground cable on the map, but it did not account that the area did not have access to the line, and the underground
“I’m fearful that the bureaucracy are just using it as a refusal and that we need to take a step further.”
“I really want the letter to go ahead.” The Mayor said. “You’re not alone at one percent, and it shows tonight with people breaking up.”
A vote was called to send the correspondence, and the motion was carried.
