Rural communities in Quebec will benefit from faster Internet
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Government of Canada investment will help residents of rural and remote areas access high-speed Internet
OTTAWA, Aug. 3, 2020 /CNW/ - Canadians know that high-speed Internet access is no longer a luxury; it is essential for everyone, including those living in rural and remote communities.
The current crisis has highlighted how much we all rely on high-speed Internet, and this need is sure to be even greater in the future. Now more than ever, Canadians need reliable, affordable high-speed Internet so they can work and learn from home and communicate with loved ones.
Today, the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Quebec Lieutenant, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, announced $8.5 million in funding for three projects through the Connect to Innovate program.
These projects will result in increased connectivity speeds in rural and remote communities, enabling Canadians to stay connected. Funding is being distributed as follows:
-- $1,015,368 for Télébec to undertake two projects using fibre optic
technology to provide high-speed Internet in the community of Belcourt,
located northeast of Val-d'Or, and in the area of Launay in the Abitibi
Regional County Municipality; and
-- $7,500,000 for TELUS to undertake a project using fibre optic technology
to provide high-speed Internet to 18 communities located northwest of
Baie-Comeau.
High-Speed Access for All: Canada's Connectivity Strategy is the Government of Canada's plan to make sure all Canadians, no matter where they live, have access to affordable high-speed Internet. It also commits to improving mobile wireless coverage where Canadians live and work, as well as along major highways and roads.
Thanks to the Connect to Innovate program, residents will be able to connect with family and friends, do business online, participate in distance education and take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the digital economy. These projects will help expand the interaction Canadians have within and outside their communities and provide opportunities for success.
Quotes
"The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that every single household and business has access to high-speed Internet. By investing in eight new projects through the Connect to Innovate program, we are continuing to bridge the digital divide so Canadians in Quebec's rural regions can equally benefit from all the advantages the digital world has to offer."
- The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Quebec Lieutenant
"Canadians understand the importance of building communities. Through the current COVID-19 crisis, we have come to recognize, now more than ever, how important it is to be able to access the digital world. Through the Connect to Innovate program, we are continuing to open doors so Canadians can benefit from being connected with their loved ones and better equipped to fulfill everyday tasks. With this funding, we are continuing to improve rural Canadians' access to high-speed Internet for them to thrive in the digital economy."
- The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development
Quick facts
-- The Government of Canada has made billions in funding available, through
several programs, to support the building of Internet infrastructure in
rural and remote communities.
-- In Budget 2019, the Government announced $1.7 billion to support
high-speed Internet, including $1 billion for the new Universal
Broadband Fund, $600 million in support for low-Earth orbit satellites
that can help connect Canada's most remote communities and $85 million
to top up the ongoing Connect to Innovate program.
-- Through Connect to Innovate, over 50 rural and remote communities across
Canada are already benefiting from completed projects that have the
potential to bring improved Internet speeds to over 25,000 households.
-- Currently, there are broadband projects in progress--that is, in the
construction phase--to improve connectivity for 150 communities, which
have the potential to reach 50,000 households by the end of 2020. Over
750 communities and potentially 250,000 households are on track to
benefit from access to improved Internet speeds as a result of Connect
to Innovate projects to be completed by the end of 2021.
Associated links
-- Connect to Innovate
-- Announced Connect to Innovate projects
-- Budget Plan 2019
-- Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan
-- Investing in Canada Plan Project Map
-- High-Speed Access for All: Canada's Connectivity Strategy
Stay connected
Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA
SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Zumedia Inc. Launches Groundbreaking New Advertising And Broadcast Platform, Setting Its Sights On Utilizing Ad-Generated Revenue To Promote A New Balance Of Wealth | Apr 25, 2024
|
|
Huawei Introduces AI Technologies to Accelerate Network Transformation Towards All Intelligence in the Net5.5G Era | Apr 25, 2024
|
|
Hyperscale Data Centers Hit the Thousand Mark; Total Capacity is Doubling Every Four Years | Apr 25, 2024
|
|
OVER HALF OF AMERICANS ARE MORE LIKELY TO TRY PRODUCTS PROMOTING HEALTHIER, SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLES, NCSOLUTIONS CONSUMER STUDY REVEALS | Apr 25, 2024
|
|
Mobile App Cybersecurity: The Growing Threat Landscape and Solutions by HyperG Smart Security | Apr 25, 2024
|
|
World Internet Conference Digital Silk Road Development Forum opens in Xi'an | Apr 25, 2024
|
|
Parks Associates: 18% of US Households Have Six Or More Smart Home Devices | Apr 25, 2024
|
|
What Is Microsoft's Role in the Shared Responsibility Model for Data Security? | Apr 25, 2024
|
|
LG ANNOUNCES NEW ADDITIONS TO MONITOR LINEUP IN CANADA | Apr 25, 2024
|
|
FLock Partners with io.net to Leverage its Decentralized Compute for its Decentralized AI Training Platform | Apr 25, 2024
|
|
|
