TELUS Communications installing backbone network to bring service to 23 communities in Chaudière-Appalaches

From: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

News Release

Quotes

“Reliable, fast Internet service is essential for enterprises in Chaudière-Appalaches 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. Our government is putting considerable effort into building a solid digital economy and regions that are both attractive and open to the world.”

– Dominique Vien, Quebec Minister responsible for Labour, Minister responsible for the Chaudière-Appalaches region and Member for Bellechasse

“This investment will benefit the middle class in the Chaudière-Appalaches 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.”

– Rémi Massé, Member of Parliament for Avignon–La Mitis–Matane–Matapédia

“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 the Quebec Digital Strategy, the Government of Quebec announced an investment of $200 million to build on Québec branché so that all residents have access to high-speed networks within the next five years.”

– 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

“Today, almost everything is centered on technology: cellphones, distance learning, teleworking, e-commerce, etc. These significant investments will enable us to offer improved service that our residents have been waiting for, as well as provide the region with an indispensable tool. This is excellent news for our businesses, the strength of our communities and our regional development.”

– Laurent Lessard, Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec region and Member for Lotbinière-Frontenac

“The Québec branché program is a high-impact initiative that helps establish broadband Internet service in our rural areas. Today’s announcement represents a significant step toward connecting communities in Chaudière-Appalaches. I want to highlight the commitment of municipal organizations and stakeholders to our collective prosperity.”

– Paul Busque, Member for Beauce-Sud and Parliamentary Assistant to the Quebec Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation

“This project in the Chaudière-Appalaches region will contribute to the success and improve the competitiveness of businesses that need broadband Internet. In addition, we are contributing to improving the quality of life of the region’s families, who will now have adequate service. The entire region will come away a winner.”

— Norbert Morin, Member for Côte-du-Sud and Deputy Government Whip for Quebec

“Thanks to support from the federal and provincial governments, we will offer high-speed Internet access to 99% of cities, towns and communities in Est-du-Québec by 2021. Since 2013, we have invested more than $300 million to extend our fibre optic network in Quebec so that thousands of residents, businesses and public institutions can have access to a world-class network. On behalf of the 6,000 members of the TELUS Québec team, I’m pleased by this shared commitment to do everything possible to provide Quebecers with the best technological solutions at home, at work and on the road.”

– François Gratton, Executive Vice-President and President, Business Solutions East and TELUS Québec

Quick Facts

• 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 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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Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA

Florent Tanlet
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for Labour and Minister responsible for the Chaudière-Appalaches region
418-643-7623

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

Julien Mercier Caron
Press Secretary
Office of the Member for Côte-du-Sud
418-234-1893

Karl W. Sasseville
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
343-291-2500

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