Ongoing Projects

EORN is leading the implementation of a $300-million Cell Gap Project to significantly improve cellular coverage and capacity across eastern Ontario. 346 new wireless sites have been built, a combination of new tower constructions and colocations. In addition, 311 existing sites have been upgraded with state-of-the-art 5G equipment delivering essential services to municipalities, Indigenous communities and visitors across eastern Ontario.

The Government of Canada, through Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, and The Province of Ontario, through the Ministry of Energy and Mines, are investing up to $71 million each toward the project. The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus’ municipalities and most municipalities within the Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus (EOMC) collectively contributed $10 million to ensure rural communities are better connected.

Together, these investments are expanding cell coverage, improving public safety, and supporting economic growth across the region.

In partnership with the Province of Ontario and local internet service providers (ISPs) this very last premise (VLP) project is an effort to close the digital divide in eastern Ontario. This partnership, with five local ISPs (Kingston Online Services, Storm Internet Services, WTC Communications, IGS Hawkesbury and NRTC Communications), will deploy a mix of next-generation Fixed Wireless and Fibre-to-the-Home technologies, including the construction of 11 new Fixed Wireless towers, upgrades to 13 existing towers, and the deployment of approximately 248 kilometers of fibre to close broadband gaps in eastern Ontario. The project, valued at more than $22 million, will provide high-speed internet access to almost 3,000 premises.

If your municipality been designated the procedural aspects of the duty to consult (DTC) with Indigenous communities and organizations by the Crown and you would like assistance, then EORN is able to help. Reach out to us and we can share some of our expertise and experience with the duty to consult process.

Since 2020, EORN had over 200 meetings with Indigenous communities and organizations as part of the DTC consultation process for the Cell Gap Project and has developed a tracking system that was shared with federal and provincial governments.

EORN brings extensive experience with the DTC process, working with legal counsel and all levels of government to establish agreements that supported Indigenous participation.

Through sustained engagement, field work, cultural awareness training, council meetings, and community ceremonies, EORN has built trusted, meaningful relationships with Indigenous partners.

EORN spends considerable time and effort reviewing and analyzing decisions, rulings and consultations from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) that may affect municipalities and regional connectivity. EORN is identifying potential impacts on municipal infrastructure, local broadband and wireless deployment, and community access to services and is providing comments to the CRTC on these topics.

EORN is leading a community-wide Affordability and Governance Structure Study on behalf of the County of Haliburton. Our project team is working closely with both the county and each of the local municipalities to ensure a consistent, collaborative and thorough approach to the study. The Affordability and Governance Structure Study will look at different ways to deliver efficient government, effective municipal services and good value for taxpayers for the long-term financial health of our communities.