INFO-19-62

February 28, 2019

The Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development 235 Queen Street Ottawa, ON K1A 0H5

Dear Minister Bains:

The Regional Municipality of RE: Proposed Durham Region Broadband Strategy, Durham “Connecting our Communities: A Broadband Strategy for Durham Region” (2019-P-3), Our File: D00 Corporate Services Department – Council of the Region of Durham, at its meeting held on February 27, Legislative Services 2019, adopted the following recommendations of the Planning & Economic Development Committee: 605 Rossland Rd. E. Level 1 P.O. Box 623 “A) That Council recognize the importance of adequate broadband Whitby, ON L1N 6A3 infrastructure for the wellbeing and economic competitiveness of Canada the Region’s residents, businesses, and institutions;

905-668-7711 B) That “Connecting our Communities: A Broadband Strategy for 1-800-372-1102 Durham Region”, dated February 5, 2019 (Attachment #1 to Fax: 905-668-9963 Report #2019-P-3) be endorsed in principle, subject to any additional resources being contingent upon the approval of the durham.ca 2019 budget and subsequent budget processes;

C) That the Regional Chair write to the Provincial Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and local Ministers of Provincial Parliament requesting that the Province consider its own financial contribution in support of Internet service provider applications under the Canadian Radio-Television Commission’s Broadband Fund; and

D) That a copy of Report #2019-P-3 and the attached Broadband Strategy be forwarded to the Area Municipalities, local Members of Parliament and local Members of Provincial Parliament, the federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and shared electronically with stakeholders that participated over the course of the project.”

If you require this information in an accessible format, please contact 1-800-372-1102 extension 2097. Page 2 of 2

Please find enclosed a copy of Report #2019-P-3 for your information.

Ralph Walton Ralph Walton, Regional Clerk/Director of Legislative Services

RW/tf c: N. Cooper, Clerk, Town of Ajax T. Gettinby, CAO/Clerk, Township of Brock A. Greentree, Clerk, Municipality of Clarington A. Brouwer, Clerk, City of Oshawa S. Cassel, Clerk, City of Pickering J.P. Newman, Clerk, Township of Scugog D. Leroux, Clerk, Township of Uxbridge C. Harris, Clerk, Town of Whitby Jennifer O’Connell, MP (Pickering/Uxbridge) Mark Holland, MP (Ajax) Celina Caesar-Chavannes, MP (Whitby) Dr. , MP (Oshawa) Erin O’Toole, MP (Durham) , MP (Haliburton/Kawartha Lakes/Brock) Kim Rudd, MP (Northumberland-Peterborough South) Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP (Pickering/Uxbridge) Rod Phillips, MPP (Ajax) Lorne Coe, MPP (Whitby) Jennifer French, MPP (Oshawa) Lindsey Park, MPP (Durham) Laurie Scott, MPP (Haliburton/Kawartha Lakes/Brock) David Piccini, MPP (Northumberland-Peterborough South) B. Bridgeman, Commissioner of Planning and Economic Development