More than $5.1M to connect 2,548 homes in Capitale-Nationale to broadband Internet
News Release
December 19, 2017 – Saint-Jean-de-l’Île-d’Orléans, Quebec
Following the call for proposals under the Québec branché program, seven projects in the Capitale-Nationale region were selected (table of selected projects). These projects represent an investment of $5,183,214, of which the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada is each contributing an equal share of $2,630,926. As a result of these projects, broadband Internet will become available in 10 communities in Capitale-Nationale. It is expected that 2,548 homes in the region will have access to broadband Internet services.
The announcement was made today by Sébastien Proulx, Quebec Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region, by Caroline Simard, Member of the National Assembly for Charlevoix–Côte-de-Beaupré and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, 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 Jean-Yves Duclos, Canada’s Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, 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.
| Organization | Investments | Québec branché Contributions | Connect to Innovate Contributions | Number of Homes* | Targeted Communities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell Canada | $604,525 | $171,875 | $171,875 | 155 | Maillard |
| Bell Canada | $1,016,313 | $237,531 | $237,531 | 626 | Saint-Laurent-de-l'Île-d'Orléans |
| Bell Canada | $364,875 | $19,938 | $19,938 | 303 | Valcartier-Village |
| Bell Canada | $526,000 | $76,312 | $76,312 | 259 | Cap-aux-Corbeaux |
| Bell Canada | $652,000 | $133,650 | $133,650 | 446 | Saint-Tite-des-Caps |
| Bell Canada | $320,751 | $123,131 | $123,131 | 47 | Jean-Noël |
| Bell Canada | $1,698,750 | $553,025 | $553,025 | 712 | Rivière-Lafleur Saint-François Sainte-Famille |
| Total | $5,183,214 | $1,315,463 | $1,315,463 | 2,548 | 10 |
| *Proponents' estimates in their project proposals | |||||
Quotes
“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 Capitale-Nationale communities 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.”
– Sébastien Proulx, Quebec Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region
“The Internet is a fundamental tool that gives Canadians the means to gain the skills needed to innovate. These investments will enable the region to realize its full potential and become one of the country’s most innovative and prosperous.”
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Canada’s Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
“Carrying out these seven projects in the Capitale-Nationale region will help businesses that need broadband Internet services to maintain their operations and be more competitive. Families in remote areas that were previously underserved will enjoy a better quality of life. The entire Capitale-Nationale region, as well as the riding of Charlevoix–Côte-de-Beaupré, will come away a winner.”
– Caroline Simard, Member of the National Assembly for Charlevoix–Côte-de-Beaupré and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism
“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, Canada’s 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
Marie B. Deschamps
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports and Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region
418-644-0664
Marc Cochrane
Political Attaché
ffice of the Member for Charlevoix–Côte-de-Beaupré and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism
418-435-0395
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
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
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