Nearly $1.5M to connect 664 homes in Abitibi-Témiscamingue to broadband Internet
News Release
December 15, 2017 – Val-d’Or, Quebec
Under the Québec branché program, five projects in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region were selected (table of selected projects). These projects represent an investment of $1,497,503, of which the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada is each contributing an equal share of $708,816. As a result of these projects, broadband Internet will become available in seven communities in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. It is expected that 664 homes in the region will have access to broadband Internet services.
The announcement was made today by Luc Blanchette, Quebec Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks, Minister responsible for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region and Minister responsible for the Nord-du-Québec region, on behalf of Dominique Anglade, Deputy Premier of Quebec, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation, and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy, together with Guy Bourgeois, Member of the National Assembly for Abitibi-Est and Parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and the Minister responsible for the Northern Plan, and by Stéphane Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Argenteuil–La Petite-Nation, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cablevision du Nord de Québec | $233,077 | $36,095 | $36,095 | 103 | Roquemaure |
| Cablevision du Nord de Québec | $216,750 | $64,625 | $64,625 | 78 | Rémigny |
| Cablevision du Nord de Québec | $689,176 | $151,938 | $151,938 | 370 | Louvicourt Obaska Nation Anishnabe du Lac-Simon |
| Cablevision du Nord de Québec | $177,000 | $49,500 | $49,500 | 53 | Baie-Laperrière |
| Cablevision du Nord de Québec | $181,500 | $52,250 | $52,250 | 60 | Moffet |
| Total | $1,497,503 | $354,408 | $354,408 | 664 | 7 |
| *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 Abitibi-Témiscamingue 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.”
– Luc Blanchette, Quebec Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks, Minister responsible for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, Minister responsible for the Nord-du-Québec region and Member for Rouyn-Noranda–Témiscamingue
“I am pleased by today’s announcement for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region. Being able to access the Internet is necessary nowadays. These projects will enable residents in the target communities to have access to high-speed services. They will now have the chance to use this tool to create business opportunities and improve their communication.”
– Guy Bourgeois, Member of the National Assembly for Abitibi-Est
“This investment will benefit the middle class in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region. It will help create greater employment and business opportunities, improve communication, and increase access to distance education, e-health, and online media, goods and services.”
– Stéphane Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Argenteuil–La Petite-Nation
“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
Katy Vachon
Political Attaché
Office of the Member for Rouyn-Noranda–Témiscamingue and Minister responsible for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec regions
819-763-3047
Valérie Pomerleau
Political Attaché
Office of the Member for Abitibi-Est
819-824-3333
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
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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