More than $55.7M to connect more than 19,000 homes in Hautes-Laurentides to high-speed Internet
News Release
November 27, 2017 – Mont-Laurier, Quebec
Following the call for proposals under the Québec branché program, three projects in the Hautes-Laurentides region were selected (table of selected projects). These projects represent a total investment of $55,753,248, of which the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada is each contributing an equal share of $30,127,194. As a result of these projects, broadband Internet will become available in 23 communities in Hautes-Laurentides. It is expected that 19,106 homes in the region will have access to broadband Internet services.
The announcement was made today by David Graham, Member of Parliament for Laurentides–Labelle, and David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and by Yves St-Denis, Member of the National Assembly for Argenteuil and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister responsible for Labour, on behalf of Dominique Anglade, Deputy Premier of Quebec, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation, and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy.
The goal of the Québec branché program is to provide broadband Internet services to unserved or underserved regions and communities. Project selection and funding were made in collaboration with the federal Connect to Innovate program. In total, 80 projects have been selected in 14 regions of Quebec.
Quotes
“Access to high-speed Internet is not a luxury; it’s essential. High-speed Internet services are basic tools that all Canadians should have access to, regardless of their postal code. Canadians need these services to do business and build stronger communities. The Government of Canada recognizes that innovation takes place everywhere in Canada, both in cities and rural areas. Thanks to our Connect to Innovate program, Canadians will be better able to seize the opportunities offered by the digital economy.”
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
“Our support for these projects will enable more households and businesses to connect, thereby contributing to Quebec’s economic growth and the vitality of its regions. Just like electricity was a driving force in the 20th century, access to broadband Internet is today a powerful driver of digital and socio-economic development. That’s why, in its recent economic update, the Government of Quebec announced an investment of $300 million over the next five years so that all residents are able to access high-speed networks.”
– Dominique Anglade, Deputy Premier of Quebec, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy
“Carrying out these three projects in the Laurentides region will help businesses that need broadband Internet services to maintain their operations and be more competitive. Families in remote areas who were previously underserved will enjoy a better quality of life. The entire Laurentides region will come away a winner.”
– Christine St-Pierre, Quebec Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region
“I am pleased to celebrate this major investment in the Hautes-Laurentides sector and the Regional County Municipality of Antoine-Labelle. I am certain that these projects to expand high-speed Internet access will be beneficial to residents and businesses in the region.”
– David Lametti, Member of Parliament for LaSalle–Émard–Verdun and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
“Today’s announcement is a historic one for this region. The rollout of high-speed Internet will have a positive effect on the lives of residents while contributing to the economic development of the region. I am proud of the steps we’ve taken and the work we’ve done together.”
– David Graham, Member of Parliament for Laurentides–Labelle
“The Québec branché program is a high-impact initiative that will help meet the growing needs of rural areas for broadband Internet services—services that are essential for the vitality and development of our regions. I am excited to see that citizens, organizations and businesses in the Laurentides will now be able to benefit from improved access to these services.”
– Yves St-Denis, Member of the National Assembly for Argenteuil and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister responsible for Labour
Quick Facts
The Québec branché program, which has initially been allocated $100 million, is one of the pillars of the Digital Economy Action Plan and the Quebec Digital Strategy (all links are to French web pages).
The Government of Canada’s $500-million Connect to Innovate program will extend and enhance broadband service in Canadian rural and remote communities.
Contacts
Follow the Quebec Ministry of Economy, Science and Innovation on social media:
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Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA
Gabrielle Tellier
Press Secretary
Office of the Deputy Premier of Quebec, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy
418-691-5650
Ann-Clara Vaillancourt
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region
418-649-2319
Mélanie Cayer
Political Attaché
Office of the MNA for Argenteuil and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister responsible for Labour
450-562-0785
Karl W. Sasseville
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
343-291-2500
Information
Jean-Pierre D’Auteuil
Media Relations Officer
Communications Branch
Ministry of Economy, Science and Innovation
418-691-5698, extension 4868
418-559-0710 (cell)
Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca
| Organizations | Investments | Québec branché Contributions | Connect to Innovate Contributions | Number of HomesFootnote * | Targeted Communities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L’Association pour la télédistribution et radio La Minerve | $6,980,471 | $2,001,982 | $2,001,982 | 2,483 | La Minerve Lac-Désert Lac-Labelle |
| Antoine-Labelle Regional County Municipality | $47,233,369 | $13,004,455 | $13,004,455 | 15,759 | Ferme-Neuve Mont-Laurier Saint-Aimé-du-Lac-des-Îles Notre-Dame-de-Pontmain Notre-Dame-du-Laus Lac-Serpent Lac-du-Cerf Kiamika Lac-des-Écorces Lac-Saint-Paul Mont-Saint-Michel Sainte-Anne-du-Lac Chute-Saint-Philippe Rivière-Rouge Nominingue La Macaza L’Ascension Lac-Saguay |
| Cogeco Connexion | $1,539,408 | $57,160 | $57,160 | 864 | Lac-des-Seize-Îles Estérel |
| Total | $55,753,248 | $15,063,597 | $15,063,597 | 19,106 | 23 |
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