St. Thomas residents dealing with dropped calls, slow data, or no service at all are being asked to report those problem spots to MP Andrew Lawton’s office. The Cellular Connectivity Project, launched on August 31, 2026, is gathering information about dead zones across Elgin, St. Thomas, and south London through an online portal on Lawton’s official MP website.
Lawton, the Conservative MP for Elgin—St. Thomas—London South, said the project grew out of concerns raised by residents, farmers, and business owners about unreliable cell coverage. He pointed to Port Stanley, parts of St. Thomas, and Sparta as areas already identified as having particularly bad service. “Port Stanley, parts of St. Thomas and Sparta, a village southeast of St. Thomas, are among the areas residents have identified as having particularly poor coverage,” Lawton said.
Poor cellular service is more than an inconvenience, Lawton added. It creates real safety risks for people trying to call 911 and hurts agriculture at a time when farming depends heavily on technology. The survey asks people to provide the address where they lost service or drop a pin on a map, along with details about the type of problem, how often it happens, and which carrier they use.
The project has already drawn a strong response. Within the first week, hundreds of people submitted reports, according to Lawton. He plans to keep the survey open for at least two months so that residents, commuters, and community groups have time to contribute. The City of St. Thomas is also promoting the initiative on its official news page.
Lawton said he has spoken with major telecom providers, and both Rogers and Bell Canada have committed to using the survey data. The companies plan to investigate problem areas, identify network gaps, and determine whether existing towers need repairs or entirely new ones are required.
The MP has a simple test for success. “Being able to take a phone call in Sparta and carry on a conversation,” he said. “I just want to see full coverage that reflects the fact that we’re in 2026 and cellular service is a necessity.”
Residents can find the survey at andrewlawtonmp.ca/connectivity.
