The Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada will each contribute $20,869 to the Cogeco Connexion project that was selected in the Mauricie region following the call for proposals under the Québec branché program. As a result of this $249,232 project, broadband Internet will become available in the municipality of Saint-Luc-de-Vincennes. It is expected that 136 homes (estimate from Cogeco Connexion) in the municipality will have access to broadband Internet services.

“Access to high-speed Internet is not a luxury; it’s essential. High-speed Internet services are basic tools that all Canadians must 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, Canada’s 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

“This investment will benefit the middle class in the Mauricie region. It will help create greater employment and business opportunities, improve communication, and increase access to distance education, e-health, media, and online goods and services.”

– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of International Trade and Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice–Champlain

“Carrying out this project in the Mauricie region will help local 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 Mauricie region will come away a winner.”

– Julie Boulet, Quebec Minister of Tourism, Minister responsible for the Mauricie region and Member of the National Assembly for Laviolette

“Thanks to this program, communities in Mauricie, including those in Saint-Luc-de-Vincennes, will now get their opportunity to benefit from an Internet service that is more robust and competitively priced. The projects selected in Mauricie represent an important step in connecting rural communities in our region. The unprecedented establishment of a network in the region is opening up access to the web for thousands of residents.”

– Pierre Michel Auger, Member of the National Assembly for Champlain

• The Québec branché program, which has initially been allocated $100 million, is one of the pillars of the Digital Economy Action Plan and the upcoming Quebec Digital Strategy (all links are to French web pages).

• The Government of Canada’s $500-million Connect to Innovate program aims to improve broadband Internet services in rural and remote Canadian communities.

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Jocelyn Régis
Political Attaché and Riding Office Manager
Office of the Member of the National Assembly for Champlain
819-694-4600

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

Patrick Soucy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region
418-528-8063

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