Investment in information and communication technologies
Gaspé, Quebec, January 13, 2009 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today announced that the Réseau collectif de communications électroniques et d'outils de gestion Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine has been awarded $1,746,084 in non-repayable funding to extend high-speed Internet access to 43 peninsula communities that, until now, have not benefited from these services. This initiative will generate more than $3 million in investment.
This funding from the Government of Canada will help bring about a project considered central to the region's priorities by enabling Gaspésie's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and self-employed workers to benefit from high-speed Internet connection. Virtually the entire region will thus have access to this service, which will complement that offered by existing service providers. The assistance will be used to hire a project coordinator, retain the services of a firm specialized in technical studies and purchase the antennas and other equipment needed to ensure access to the network.
"To attract investment and new enterprises, a region needs to be able to capitalize on all of its assets and the Gaspésie region will now have one more to add to its drawing power. We are convinced that high-speed Internet access will generate positive spinoffs by helping to strengthen the region's economic activity and make it more competitive. Cyber solutions are clearly the way of the future in order to bring markets closer and facilitate trade," noted the Minister of State.
In today's era of information and communication technologies, the Internet is an indispensable tool for development. The globalized environment demands that businesses conduct some of their activities online if they are to conquer new markets and increase their customer base. This project will ensure that 375 more SMEs on the peninsula are able to add electronic commerce to their regular business practices.
"We firmly believe that the community as a whole stands to reap the benefits of this project, which will translate into a competitive advantage that is sure to encourage new enterprises to set up shop in the Gaspésie region and to foster the growth and expansion of those already established here. Our support is based precisely on that tenet and is directly in line with the vision and priorities laid out in the Advantage Canada plan: to build a strong economy capable of ensuring all Canadians a better quality of life," Minister Lebel concluded.
According to Majella Émond, President of the Réseau collectif de communications électroniques et d'outils de gestion Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, "high-speed Internet access will allow the Gaspésie region, on the one hand, to climb aboard the technology train and make up any lost ground, and, on the other, to support the development and diversification of the regional economy. The communities benefiting from this service will thus gain access to the knowledge society." Expressing his delight at today's announcement, Mr. Émond said the Réseau collectif intends to do everything in its power to ensure this project is completed as quickly as possible this year.
This financial assistance has been awarded through the Major Economic and Tourism Facilities – Access to Broadband Services initiative established by Canada Economic Development as part of its 2008-2011 strategic plan. The Réseau collectif de communications électroniques et d'outils de gestion Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine is a non-profit organization and sole owner of a 940-kilometre fibre optics network circling the peninsula. Construction of this network required an investment of more than $18 million, of which $6 million was awarded by the Government of Canada through the Canada-Quebec Infrastructure Works program.
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Sources:
Karina Gagnon
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-368-6048 or 1-866-368-0044
E-mail: karina.gagnon@dec-ced.gc.ca
Éric Lefebvre
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Cellular: 613-608-7906
E-mail: eric.lefebvre@dec-ced.gc.ca
