Videoconference initiative enabled by new broadband Internet connections
Iqaluit, Nunavut, April 10, 2013 – Six communities across Nunavut are participating in a pilot project to test videoconference equipment that will better facilitate communication for the deaf in the territory, thanks to a partnership between the governments of Canada and Nunavut, the Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation (NBDC), and the Canadian Deafness Research and Training Institute (CDRTI).
"Our Government is proud to support modern, high-speed Internet in Canada's North to provide new opportunities for Nunavut residents and local businesses,"
said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Minister for the Arctic Council and Member of Parliament for Nunavut. "Thanks to this project, hearing impaired people in Nunavut now have access to a state-of-the-art communications tool."
"NBDC is pleased to spearhead this pilot project, demonstrating the innovative use of videoconferencing to give deaf Nunavummiut enhanced communication options,"
said Darrell Ohokannoak, President of the Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation.
Dr. James MacDougall of CDRTI, who has been involved with a Government of Nunavut-sponsored project to document Inuit Sign Language, stated that, "Video Phone technology can greatly assist in the full inclusion of deaf Nunavummiut in all aspects of community life. This represents one of the core values of Nunavut."
Wendy Ireland, Executive Director of the Nunavummi Disabilities Makinnasuaqtiit Society, is excited about the possibilities. "This is obviously a great advance for deaf people, but it also holds considerable potential for people with other types of disabilities who need face to face communication within and between communities from the comfort of their home."
This pilot project is part of Meet Online, a suite of videoconferencing solutions designed to operate over Nunavut's satellite-based network. Meet Online has dedicated bandwidth that offers a reliable connection between any two communities in Nunavut. Arviat, Baker Lake, Rankin Inlet, Iqaluit, Pond Inlet, and Arctic Bay are all participating in this pilot project. Equipment is also located in Ottawa and Montréal to test communications with southern Canada.
This videoconferencing pilot, which was developed with QINIQ service provider SSi Micro Ltd., is funded through NBDC's Infrastructure II project. The Canadian Deafness Research and Training Institute (CDRTI) helped identify participants across Nunavut and is the primary partner in the project.
The Government of Canada is contributing more than $21.6 million from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) as well as an additional $500,000 from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada to the Infrastructure II project project, which is funding this pilot project. In addition, the Government of Nunavut is contributing $500,000 and the NBDC more than $18.5 million. The total cost of the Infrastructure II project project is over $41 million.
Through the National Satellite Initiative under the CSIF and a contribution agreement with NBDC, the federal government made a commitment to improve broadband service in Nunavut. NBDC is a federally registered not-for-profit corporation whose members represent community, private-sector and citizen interests to ensure that reliable, affordable access to broadband services is delivered by the private sector to every Nunavut community.
Canada's Economic Action Plan 2013 is delivering a New Building Canada Plan to build roads, bridges, energy systems and other public infrastructure in cooperation with provinces, territories, and municipalities. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than 898,000 net new jobs created since July 2009. The New Building Canada Plan, combined with other federal infrastructure investments, supports Canada's infrastructure advantage, a key enabler of economic growth and job creation.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Web feeds, visit Infrastructure Canada.
For further information on NBDC, visit Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation.
For further information on the Canadian Deafness Research and Training Institute, please contact Dr. James MacDougall at james.macdougall@mcgill.ca.
Geneviève Sicard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Oana Spinu
Executive Director, NBDC
867-979-05751
oana@qiniq.com
Dr. James MacDougall
Canadian Deafness Research and Training Institute (CDRTI)
514-937-2191
james.macdougall@mcgill.ca
The Government of Canada is providing a total contribution of $21,601,175 to the Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation (NBDC) to increase satellite capacity, produce new bandwidth management tools and upgrade the existing QINIQ network for the benefit of 25 communities:
- Arctic Bay (Nanisivik)
- Arviat
- Baker Lake
- Cambridge Bay
- Cape Dorset
- Chesterfield Inlet
- Clyde River
- Coral Harbour
- Gjoa Haven
- Grise Fiord
- Hall Beach
- Igloolik
- Iqaluit
- Kimmirut
- Kugaaruk (Pelly Bay)
- Kugluktuk
- Pangnirtung
- Pond Inlet
- Qikiqtarjuaq (Broughton Island)
- Rankin Inlet
- Repulse Bay
- Resolute Bay
- Sanikiluaq
- Taloyoak (Spence Bay)
- Whale Cove
In December 2009, $9,331,129 of the total federal investment was designated to purchase increased satellite capacity to support the QINIQ network. As well, $750,000 was applied as a capital expense to upgrade QINIQ network hardware.
In September 2010, an additional $7.8 million of the total federal investment was dedicated to deliver the new bandwidth services of Qfile (previously referred to as Time Shift) and Meet Online Enterprise.
NBDC continues to promote viable videoconferencing services to facilitate communication and reduce travel budgets across Nunavut. The launch of a Meet Online pilot for the hearing impaired is one aspect where videoconferencing can strengthen intercommunity links and also create an environment of inclusion for all Nunavummiut.
The Government of Canada is contributing more than $21.6 million from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) as well as an additional $500,000 from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada to the Infrastructure II project, which is funding the Meet Online pilot project. In addition, the Government of Nunavut is contributing $500,000 and the NBDC more than $18.5 million. The total cost of the Infrastructure II project is over $41 million.
The full project details can be obtained at Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation.
