Kawawachikamach, Quebec, October 12, 2007 - Residents of the
Northeastern Quebec communities of Kawawachikamach, Schefferville,
Matimekush and Lac John now have access to high-capacity Internet service
thanks to a joint broadband initiative between Canada's New Government and
the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach.
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure
and Communities, and Chief Philip Einish, President of Naskapi Imuun Inc.,
today announced that the Government of Canada is contributing up to $4.7
million towards this $6.27 million initiative. The remainder of the
funding, $1.57 million, comes from the Naskapi Nation.
"Broadband is a key piece of infrastructure for 21st century
communities to help support their economic growth and prosperity," said
Minister Cannon. "Canada's New Government is proud to partner with the
Naskapi Nation on this initiative that will provide residents improved
access to a wide range of services such as distance learning, telehealth
as well as electronic government services and e-commerce. This investment
is consistent with our government's new long-term infrastructure plan,
Building Canada."
"This project supports the federal government's commitment to expand
broadband coverage across Canada," added Minister of Indian Affairs and
Northern Development, Chuck Strahl. "The initiative will help stimulate
economic growth and contribute to the well-being of the communities."
"The benefits of this initiative include the potential to bring vital
high-speed Internet access to schools, health institutions and government
offices, not to mention contributing to the overall sustainability and
social, cultural and economic development of the region," said Chief
Philip Einish.
The funding will help to bring enhanced broadband access to about 2,500
residents, 400 households, and more than 65 municipal and non-residential
buildings. Naskapi Imuun is working closely with its broadband and
satellite service provider OmniGlobe Networks, on the delivery of
high-speed broadband Internet access to the Kawawachikamach/Schefferville
region.
"We are proud to be the first community in Quebec to launch broadband
Internet services as a result of the government's National Satellite
Initiative," said John Mameamskum, Director General, Naskapi Nation of
Kawawachikamach, "Indeed, without the Government of Canada's contribution,
it would not have been possible for us to expand our Internet services in
the region."
The new broadband service builds on the existing ground stations and
local access networks launched in January 2005 and funded through Industry
Canada's Broadband for Rural and Northern Development (BRAND) Pilot
Program. It is expected to meet the needs of the region for the next 10
years.
Established under federal legislation in May 1999, Naskapi Imuun is a
for-profit corporation that is wholly owned by the Naskapi Nation of
Kawawachikamach (the "Nation"). The Nation is a First Nation located
northeast of Schefferville, Quebec, with a population of approximately 850
registered Indians, who are also beneficiaries of the 1978 Northeastern
Quebec Agreement, Canada's second comprehensive land claims settlement. As
a successful participant in Industry Canada's Broadband for Rural and
Northern Development Pilot Program and the Canada
Strategic Infrastructure Fund's National Satellite Initiative, Naskapi
Imuun provides high-speed Internet services in Kawawachikamach,
Schefferville, Matimekush, Lac John. For more information, contact
Balgovind Pande, Naskapi Imuun's representative at 514-482-6887, or visit
the Nation's website at
www.naskapi.ca.
The Government of Canada's financial contribution is provided under the
National Satellite Initiative (NSI). The goal of NSI is to provide
affordable satellite capacity for broadband services in communities in the
far to mid-North, and in other areas of Canada, where satellite technology
is the only reasonable means of providing broadband access. The NSI is
being delivered through a collaborative effort between Industry Canada,
Infrastructure Canada and the Canadian Space Agency, in cooperation with
provincial and territorial governments.
Contacts:Karine WhitePress Secretary Office of the
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities 613-991-0700
Infrastructure CanadaCommunications and Promotion613-948-1148
Balgovind PandeAdvisorNaskapi Imuun514-482-6887
