ROUYN-NORANDA, Quebec, May 16, 2005 -- The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment, on behalf of the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, and several other federal partners, today announced that the Centre des technologies de l'information et des communications is receiving $6.9 million in funding from the Government of Canada to deploy broadband, or high-capacity Internet, to an estimated 51 municipalities in the areas of Abitibi, Abitibi-Ouest, Rouyn-Noranda, Témiscamingue and the Vallée-de-l'Or, among which there are seven Algonquin communities. The Government of Canada's funding includes contributions from Industry Canada's Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Health Canada and Industry Canada's First Nations SchoolNet. "The Government of Canada recognizes that the prosperity and quality of life of Canadian communities such as these depends upon having access to broadband," said Minister Dion. "Through our various programs such as the Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program, the Government of Canada is helping to make new and advanced applications available to Canadians in rural and remote communities so that municipalities such as these will have the tools they need to participate fully in our increasingly connected world." The Centre des technologies de l'information et des communications was one of 58 projects from across Canada selected to further advance the implementation of broadband to First Nations, northern and rural communities. Other partners in this project include the Government of Quebec, Télébec, and various local organizations. Broadband is defined as a high-capacity Internet connection, capable of supporting full-motion, real-time audio and video applications. It is a pipeline for delivering innovative applications, putting services in areas like health, education and business within easy reach of all Canadians. For more information on broadband initiatives, please visit http://broadband.gc.ca. -30- For more information, please contact: Christiane Fox Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson Minister of Industry (613) 995-9001 Media Relations Industry Canada (613) 943-2502
