A new peer-to-peer network has been created across the province to assist health professionals who are learning to use the e-health technology.
The electronic health records need to be available everywhere from a clinic in a small northern community to a hospital in a major urban centre and everywhere in between.
Read more: Canada: Saskatchewan: The digital age of health care
The County of Simcoe is eligible to receive up to $1 million in provincial funding to start local broadband infrastructure projects, through the Rural Connections Broadband program.
Read more: Canada: Ontario: Simcoe County: High-speed Internet coming to local townships
The communities' applications were accepted this year under the provincial Rural Connections Broadband Program, which backs broadband access for rural and remote areas of southern Ontario now considered "under-serviced."
Read more: Canada: Ontario pledges $8.8M for rural broadband
Through the Rural Connections Broadband program, the Ontario government is set to offer nearly $300,000 to expand South Glengarry's Internet access, increasing the area's high-speed coverage to 98 from 63 per cent. South Dundas and South Stormont are eligible for $77,677.
The first phase of the portal is expected to go live in late 2009. Once fully implemented, residents and businesses will see a dramatic improvement in online service capabilities.
Read more: Canada: Ontario: Markham and York Region Partner on Internet Portal