Under the Québec branché and Connect to Innovate programs, Duclos & Michaud Télécom, a subsidiary of DERYtelecom, will carry out a $4,124,881 project to bring high-speed Internet and optical connection nodes to five communities in the Îles-de-la-Madeleine region: Bassin, Dune-du-Sud, Havre-Aubert, Old-Harry and Pointe-aux-Loups.

“Our support for this project 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 is why our government, in the Quebec Digital Strategy, set itself this target: 100 percent of Quebec residents having access to broadband networks within the next five years and within the next 20 months for the Îles-de-la-Madeleine project. We will achieve this goal thanks to the additional investment of $300 million in digital infrastructure that was announced in last November’s economic update.”

– Dominique Anglade, Deputy Premier of Quebec, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation, and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy

“Residents of Îles-de-la-Madeleine will soon have access to the same high-speed Internet service as people in large cities. The Internet is a basic tool that gives residents the necessary means to innovate, start a business and develop new markets, which increases business opportunities and creates jobs to grow the middle class.”

– The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Member of Parliament for Gaspésie–Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Minister of National Revenue

“Because of our isolation, access to reliable infrastructure that can ensure Internet service is a significant challenge. Carrying out the project announced today by the federal and provincial governments will help retain and establish businesses that depend on high-speed Internet to operate and remain competitive. This new infrastructure will also help meet the needs of residents of the entire archipelago. This is how we will contribute to the vitality of the entire Îles-de-la-Madeleine community.”

– Germain Chevarie, Member of the National Assembly for Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Social Services, and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister responsible for the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine region.

“Access to high-speed Internet service is not a luxury; it’s essential. High-speed Internet services are basic tools that all Canadians should have access to, regardless of where they live. 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 able to better seize the opportunities offered by the digital economy.”

– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

“The Québec branché program is a high-impact initiative that will help meet the growing need for broadband Internet services. Today’s announcement represents a significant step toward connecting communities in Îles-de-la-Madeleine 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.”

– Pierre Moreau, Quebec Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Minister responsible for the Plan Nord and Minister responsible for the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine region

“We are very enthusiastic about carrying out this forward-looking project and thereby actively contributing to the economic development of the Îles-de-la-Madeleine maritime community. We are committed to offering our Îles-de-la-Madeleine customers Internet access that is comparable to that available in large urban centres, including speeds of up to 100 Mbps. The work that our company will carry out in the coming months will involve upgrading the existing fibre and coaxial hybrid network and expanding our fibre backbone to make fibre optic available to many businesses and institutions on the archipelago that have a considerable need for broadband service.”

– Bryan Godbout, President and CEO, DERYtelecom

• The Québec branché program, which was initially 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 will extend and enhance broadband service in rural and remote Canadian communities.

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Guillaume Bérubé
Director of Communications
Office of the Deputy Premier, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation, and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy
418-691-5650

Jean-Pierre D’Auteuil
Media Relations Officer
Communications Branch
Ministry of Economy, Science and Innovation
418-691-5698, ext. 4868
418-559-0710 (cell)

Mallory Clyne
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
343-291-2500

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca

Noémie Déraspe
Political Attaché
Office of the MNA for Îles-de-la-Madeleine
418-986-4140

Jeremy Ghio
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of National Revenue
613-995-2960

Catherine Poulin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Minister responsible for the Plan Nord and Minister responsible for the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine region
418-643-7295