UPDATED: Ontario abandons open intake for broadband funding program

Ontario’s government has decided against launching a call for applications under a provincial program meant to help improve broadband access and connectivity in the province’s rural and remote areas. In a memo obtained by The Wire Report, the province told stakeholders it will not seek new projects under the program, known as the Last Mile Challenge, instead choosing to “explore alternative approaches to provide funding to advance connectivity” across Ontario. “ may include continuing to work directly with a limited number of internet service providers (ISPs) to develop viable and economically feasible solutions that ensure value-for-money and expand connectivity to all Ontarians,” wrote Mike Smith, director of the broadband expansion branch under the province’s energy and mines ministry, on May 14. The decision follows a market sounding held last fall with ISPs and other prospective applicants to “assess interest in a potential funding program.” According to the memo, the process was intended to “inform internal ministry planning and decision making prior to any potential launch.” “No further commitments were made by , Infrastructure Ontario, or industry partners,” read the letter. A source familiar with the matter, who asked to remain anonymous, said the Last Mile Challenge is expected to be maintained by the province, but without an open process for prospective applicants. The energy and mines minister’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Wire Report. Ontario has promised to connect every resident to high-speed internet by the end of 2028, which was also the target date for projects funded under the proposed Last Mile Challenge to be completed. Federal data suggests Ontario currently has 96 per cent connectivity across the province, though 100 per cent of households are projected to have internet access by the end of the calendar year. “The province will continue to work closely with ISPs, utilities, municipalities and Indigenous communities to get shovels in the ground and accelerate the deployment of broadband projects,” wrote the provincial government. The Last Mile Challenge would have been administered by a combination of private proponents and non-profit regional delivery agencies, including the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) and the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) project. In December, SWIFT chairman Gary McNamara asked provincial cabinet minister Sam Oosterhoff to exclude the organization from the Last Mile Challenge, as it is already working on two projects to address “the remaining gaps in Southwestern Ontario.” Instead, McNamara asked the province to focus on pre-existing relations, as opposed to new funding programs. “ accelerated approach is possible only because of the established processes, existing relationships, and regional readiness already in place,” wrote McNamara. “This work builds on an already successful process that has proven to be both quick and efficient in identifying unserved premises and moving them into implementation without delay." SWIFT also suggested that last year’s market sounding session featured new provincial data suggesting southwestern Ontario was in a “significantly stronger” position than eastern and northern Ontario. dlegree@thewirereport.ca Editor's Note: The headline and body of this story have been updated to correct that the province is keeping the Last Mile Challenge, but expected to move forward without an open call for applications.

UPDATED: Ontario abandons open intake for broadband funding program

Regulatory |
By Davis Legree
|May 19, 2026

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

UPDATED: Ontario abandons open intake for broadband funding program

Regulatory | By Davis Legree |May 19, 2026

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

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

CRTC sets up panel to deal with five Alberta area code number exhaust

CRTC approves technical standards for NG911

CRTC says wholesale access is having ‘positive impacts’ amidst job losses, spending cuts in telecoms sector

Related Stories

National Film Board resistant to possible merger with Telefilm, CMF

Canada Media Fund unveils $359M plan for 2026-27

CRTC approves Quebec screen industry groups to receive Online Streaming Act contributions

Feds provide more than $17M to audiovisual groups in northern Indigenous communities

Reuse & Permissions

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

Regulatory |
By Davis Legree
|May 19, 2026