More than $7.1M to connect 3,522 homes in Lanaudière to high-speed Internet
News Release
December 18, 2017 – Berthierville, Quebec
Under the Québec branché program, six projects in the Lanaudière region were selected (table of selected projects). These projects represent a total investment of $7,177,870, of which the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada is each contributing an equal share of $5,766,124. As a result of these projects, broadband Internet will become available in 16 communities in the region. It is expected that 3,522 households in the region will have access to broadband Internet services.
The announcement was made today by Lise Thériault, Quebec Minister responsible for Consumer Protection and for Housing and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière region, on behalf of Dominique Anglade, Deputy Premier of Quebec, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation, and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy, and by 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D'Autray Regional County Municipality | $4,710,265 | $2,278,633 | $2,278,633 | 1,118 | Berthierville Saint-Gabriel Mandeville Saint-Cléophas-de-Brandon Saint-Didace Lac-Deligny Saint-Barthélemy Saint-Edmond |
| Bell Canada | $575,787 | $152,607 | $152,607 | 406 | Grande-Vallée Village-Lafontaine |
| Bell Canada | $141,250 | $20,625 | $20,625 | 281 | Lac-Ouareau |
| Bell Canada | $1,145,862 | $153,519 | $153,519 | 832 | Lac-Noir |
| ELPC | $528,616 | $241,883 | $241,883 | 500 | Saint-Norbert Saint-Cuthbert Saint-Edmond |
| ELPC | $76,090 | $35,795 | $35,795 | 385 | Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez |
| Total | $7,177,870 | $2,883,062 | $2,883,062 | 3,522 | 16 |
| *Proponents' estimates in their project proposals | |||||
Quotes
“The Québec branché program is a high-impact initiative that will help meet the growing needs of rural areas for broadband Internet services. Today’s announcement represents a significant step toward connecting communities in Lanaudière 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 to our collective prosperity.”
– Lise Thériault, Quebec Minister responsible for Consumer Protection and for Housing and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière region
“I am pleased to celebrate this major investment in the Lanaudière region. 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
“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 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
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 will extend and enhance broadband service in rural and remote Canadian communities.
Contacts
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Contacts
Clémence Beaulieu Gendron
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for Consumer Protection and for Housing and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière region
418-691-2030
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
Information
Karl W. Sasseville
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
343-291-2500
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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