More than $7M to connect 2,430 homes in Montérégie to broadband Internet
News Release
December 11, 2017 – Saint-Télesphore, Quebec
The Government of Quebec, under the Québec branché program, and the Government of Canada, under the Connect to Innovate program, is each contributing $2,584,361 to three projects in the Montérégie region (table of selected projects). These projects represent a total investment of $6,842,453. As a result of these projects, broadband Internet will become available in 37 communities in the region. It is expected that 2,430 households in the region will have access to broadband Internet services.
The announcement was made today by Lucie Charlebois, Member of the National Assembly for Soulanges, Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living, and Minister responsible for the Montérégie region, on behalf of Dominique Anglade, Deputy Premier of Quebec, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation, and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy, and by Jean Rioux, Member of Parliament for Saint-Jean, and Brenda Shanahan, Member of Parliament for Châteauguay–Lacolle, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
The goal of the Québec branché program is to provide broadband Internet services to unserved or underserved regions and communities. Project selection and funding were made in collaboration with the federal Connect to Innovate program. In total, 80 projects have been selected in 14 regions of Quebec.
| Organizations | Investments | Québec branché Contributions | Connect to Innovate Contributions | Number of Homes* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell Canada | $351,900 | $63,937 | $63,937 | 83 |
| Bell Canada | $538,500 | $121,000 | $121,000 | 251 |
| Targo Communications | $5,952,053 | $2,399,424 | $2,399,424 | 2,096 |
| Total | $6,842,453 | $2,584,361 | $2,584,361 | 2,430 |
| *Proponents' estimates in their project proposals | ||||
Quotes
“The Québec branché program is a high-impact initiative that will help meet the needs of rural areas for broadband Internet services. Today’s announcement represents a significant step toward connecting communities in Montérégie 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 municipal players and stakeholders to our collective prosperity.”
– Lucie Charlebois, Member of the National Assembly for Soulanges, Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living, and Minister responsible for the Montérégie region
“The federal Connect to Innovate program gives Canadians the technological tools needed to fully participate in the digital world, no matter where they live. Today’s announcement will enable residents of Montérégie to be part of solid communities that are well connected to the world. We will continue to build infrastructure that helps provide well-paying jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it.”
– Jean Rioux, Member of Parliament for Saint-Jean
“Today’s announcement is some of the best news I’ve heard for Châteauguay–Lacolle since I was elected. The issue of Internet connectivity has been a priority for me since 2015 because it affects 12 of our 15 municipalities. I’ve worked tirelessly with the rural caucus and the digital caucus to ensure that our government develops a flexible program that meets the needs of rural communities. We know that access to quality service is essential for promoting economic development, improving residents’ quality of life, retaining young people and attracting families. And that is exactly what the combination of the federal Connect to Innovate program and the provincial Québec branché program offers.”
– Brenda Shanahan, Member of Parliament for Châteauguay-Lacolle
“Our support for these projects 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’s why, in its recent economic update, the Government of Quebec announced an investment of $300 million over the next five years so that all residents are able to access high-speed networks.”
– Dominique Anglade, Deputy Premier of Quebec, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy
“Access to high-speed Internet is not a luxury; it’s essential. High-speed Internet services are basic tools that all Canadians should have access to, regardless of their postal code. 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 better able to seize the opportunities offered by the digital economy.”
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Quick Facts
-
The Québec branché program, which has initially been allocated $100 million, is one of the pillars of the Digital Economy Action Plan and the upcoming Quebec Digital Strategy (all links are to French web pages). The Quebec Digital Strategy will be released on December 13, 2017: #StratNumQc.
-
The Government of Canada’s $500-million Connect to Innovate program will extend and enhance broadband service in rural and remote Canadian communities.
Contacts
Follow the Quebec Ministry of Economy, Science and Innovation on social media:
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA
Contacts
Bianca Boutin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister for Rehabilitation, Youth Protection, Public Health and Healthy Living and Minister responsible for the Montérégie region
418-266-7181
Gabrielle Tellier
Press Secretary
Office of the Deputy Premier of Quebec, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy
418-691-5650
Information
Jean-Pierre D’Auteuil
Media Relations Officer
Communications Branch
Ministry of Economy, Science and Innovation
418-691-5698, extension 4868
418-559-0710 (cell)
Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca
Page details
- Date modified: