More than $24.6M to connect 8,100 homes in Estrie to broadband Internet
News Release
December 19, 2017 – Compton, Quebec
Following the call for proposals under the Québec branché program, seven projects in the Estrie region were selected (table of selected projects). These projects represent a total investment of $24,678,972, of which the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada is each contributing an equal share of $14,992,780. As a result of these projects, broadband Internet will become available in 38 communities in Estrie. It is expected that 8,100 homes in the region will have access to broadband Internet services.
The announcement was made today by Luc Fortin, Quebec Minister of Families, Minister responsible for the Estrie region and Member of the National Assembly for Sherbrooke, on behalf of Dominique Anglade, Deputy Premier of Quebec, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation, and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy, and by the Honourable Marie‑Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie and Member of Parliament for Compton–Stanstead, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
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.
| Organizations | Investments | Québec branché Contributions | Connect to Innovate Contributions | Number of Homes* | Targeted Communities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoopTel, telecommunications co-op | $2,582,089 | $554,000 | $554,000 | 1,150 | Kingsbury L'Avenir Wheatland Saint-Edmond-de-Grantham Boulogne Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc Danby Melboro Saint-Eugène-de-Grantham Domaine-de-la-Paix Saint-Édouard |
| Transvision (Cookshire) | $587,000 | $262,800 | $262,800 | 700 | Cookshire Eaton Johnville Birchton Learned Plain Westbury Huntingville |
| Cogeco Connexion | $1,155,086 | $236,437 | $236,437 | 388 | Saint-Cyr Denison Mills |
| Câble-Axion Digitel | $340,002 | $119,000 | $119,000 | 1,174 | Mansonville Perkins Landing Highwater Potton Springs South Bolton Bolton Centre |
| Cogeco Connexion | $2,512,592 | $507,167 | $507,167 | 954 | Hatley Hatley Centre Massawippi |
| Coaticook RCM Information and Communications Technologies Action Table | $13,987,203 | $4,441,836 | $4,441,836 | 2,982 | Boudreau-Corners Baldwin Mills Villette Comins Mills Way's Mills Fairfax Boynton Earlstown |
| Civimetrix Télécommunications | $3,515,000 | $1,375,150 | $1,375,150 | 752 | Austin |
| Total | $24,678,972 | $7,496,390 | $7,496,390 | 8,100 | 38 |
| *Proponents' estimates in their project proposals | |||||
Quotes
“This investment will benefit the middle class in Estrie. 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 Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie and Member of Parliament for Compton–Stanstead
“The Québec branché program is a high-impact initiative that will help meet the needs of rural areas for broadband Internet services. Today’s announcement represents a significant step toward connecting communities in Estrie and will contribute to the region’s appeal and its ability to attract and retain families and businesses. I would like to highlight the commitment of regional players and supporters to our collective prosperity.”
– Luc Fortin, Quebec Minister of Families, Minister responsible for the Estrie region and Member of the National Assembly for Sherbrooke
“Almost everything today depends on technology: hand-held devices, distance education, telework, e-commerce, etc. These major investments will help provide citizens with long-awaited improved service and will equip the region with an indispensable, necessary tool. This is good news for our businesses and communities and for regional development.”
– Laurent Lessard, Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec region
“Our government is making a considerable effort to build a solid digital economy as well as attractive regions that are open to the world. Citizens and entrepreneurs in the Saint-François riding will greatly benefit from this unprecedented connectivity in our region. I would like to highlight the enthusiasm of the supporters behind these seven high-impact projects.”
– Guy Hardy, Member of the National Assembly for Saint-François
“I have the great pleasure of announcing this funding under the Connect to Innovate program. It is essential nowadays that our rural communities be connected to ensure their longevity. I would like to highlight the historic partnership between our government and that of Quebec. Through collaboration, we are successfully developing projects like those we’re announcing today. Citizens in the Brome–Missisquoi RCM will be able to count on a reliable, high-speed network that will enable them to, among other things, work effectively from home, take online courses or look for work. This is excellent news for our region and my fellow citizens.”
– The Honourable Denis Paradis, Member of Parliament for Brome–Missisquoi
“Carrying out these seven projects in the Estrie 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 Estrie region and the riding of Richmond will come away winners.”
– Karine Vallières, Member of the National Assembly for Richmond and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier (youth)
“This is a big day for economic development in our region. It’s a key moment that marks not only the culmination of our many collective efforts but also the start of long-awaited improved service for many residents of Mégantic. These major investments will provide our region and the riding of Mégantic with an indispensable and necessary tool.”
– Ghislain Bolduc, Member of the National Assembly for Mégantic and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification
“Reliable, fast Internet service is essential for people in the Estrie region, especially for businesses that want to further digitize their business processes, have an online presence and conduct e-commerce. It is also vital for families that want to move to our region or for young people who want to return here after their studies.”
– Pierre Reid, Member of the National Assembly for Orford
“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
“Access to high-speed Internet is no longer 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. Our government 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
Quick Facts
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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 Quebec Digital Strategy was released on December 13, 2017: #StratNumQc.
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The Government of Canada’s $500-million Connect to Innovate program aims to improve access to Internet broadband services in rural and remote Canadian communities.
Contacts
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Contacts
Anne Simard
Political Attaché – Communications
Office of the Member for Sherbrooke and Minister responsible for the Estrie region
819-434-3025
Gabrielle Tellier
Press Secretary
Office of the Deputy Premier, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation, and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy
418-691-5650
Karl W. Sasseville
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
343-291-2500
Louis Longchamps
Political Attaché
Office of the Member for Saint-François
819-565-3667
Jacynthe Bourget
Political Attaché
Office of the Member for Richmond
819-437-8303
Nathalie Lecours
Political Attaché
Office of the Member for Orford
819-847-3911
Flore Bouchon
Political Attaché
Office of the Member for Mégantic
819-583-4500
Mathieu Gaudreault
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister responsible
for the Centre-du-Québec region
418-643-7295
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
Francois Gaboury
Media Relations Officer
TELUS
438-862-5136
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