Residents of the Regional County Municipality of Antoine-Labelle getting access to high-speed Internet thanks to investments by the governments of Canada and Quebec

RIVIÈRE-ROUGE, QC, Feb. 25, 2019 /CNW/ - Making strategic investments in infrastructure projects that meet the specific needs of rural and northern communities is key to building stronger, more inclusive communities where everyone can succeed.

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; David Graham, Member of Parliament for Laurentides–Labelle; Gilles Bélanger, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economy and Innovation and Member of the National Assembly for Orford; and Chantale Jeannotte, Member of the National Assembly for Labelle, today officially announced funding for a fibre optic network spanning 1,900 kilometres that will serve over 16,000 households and businesses in 17 Antoine-Labelle municipalities.

It is crucial to connect rural citizens, businesses and institutions to the digital economy so they can access the information and services that would otherwise be beyond their reach. Through this project, almost 98% of households and businesses that do not currently have access to Internet at a speed of at least 5 Mbps will have access to download speeds of 10 to 150 Mbps, meeting their current and future needs.

The Government of Canada is investing more than $12 million in this project under the Rural and Northern Communities stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Quebec will invest more than $13 million in the project while the Regional County Municipality of Antoine-Labelle will contribute almost $23.5 million.

Quotes

"Through this project, residents and businesses in Antoine-Labelle will have the tools they need to innovate, start a business or explore new markets, learn, have fun and stay in touch with their loved ones. We have big plans to develop our regions because they are the driving force behind our country's success. That is why we're committed to developing a rural development strategy to stimulate economic growth and create good middle-class jobs for Canadians in these areas."

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"We are proud to be contributing to improving people's quality of life by offering new opportunities for the communities in the 17 municipalities in the Regional County Municipality of Antoine-Labelle. Access to high-speed Internet is not a luxury; it is a necessity in today's world. Projects like this one foster the creation of dynamic communities and make it possible for more Canadians to participate fully in the digital economy."

David Graham, Member of Parliament for Laurentides–Labelle

"In 2019, high-speed Internet is essential to the growth of a strong regional economy and the vitality of communities. Reliable and fast Internet service is necessary for businesses that want to further integrate digital technology into their business processes, have an online presence and engage in e-commerce. That is why the Government of Quebec is working to make high-speed Internet available in all regions. Our goal is simple: to empower Quebec and enable the economy to grow to the abilities and ambitions of its citizens and businesses."

Gilles Bélanger, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economy and Innovation and Member of the National Assembly for Orford

"I am very pleased about this important announcement, which will have a direct impact on the daily lives of many people in the Regional County Municipality of Antoine-Labelle. Access to high-speed Internet, which is essential in today's world, may be the argument that will convince businesses to set up in the region, or young people to settle here after completing postsecondary studies. The entire region will benefit."

Chantale Jeannotte, Member of the National Assembly for Labelle

"The Regional County of Antoine-Labelle is working hard to make the Antoine-Labelle connectivity project happen and has been since the official funding announcement by the federal and provincial governments in 2017. Advancements can be expected in the coming weeks that will allow us to stay on course for carrying out the first connections in summer 2019. Providing citizens in our region with high-speed Internet remains our primary objective and is a point of pride for our organization." 

Georges Décarie, Substitute Reeve of Antoine-Labelle RCM

Quick Facts

• Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities. $25.3 billion of this funding is supporting social infrastructure in Canadian communities.
• $2 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects that meet the unique needs of rural and northern communities like facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity.
• The Government of Quebec is committed to improving high-speed Internet coverage by installing adequate digital infrastructure in every region of the province. It plans to invest more than $400 million over the next four years to achieve this goal.

Associated links

Investing in Canada Plan Project Map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map

Federal investments in infrastructure projects in Quebec: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/index-eng.html

Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

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SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

Ann-Clara Vaillancourt, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Tel.: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Emmanuel Bouchard, Press Secretary, Office of the MNA for Orford, Tel.: [phone]; Anne-Marie Jasmin, Press Secretary, Office of the MNA for Labelle, Tel.: [phone]; Media Relations, Infrastructure Canada, Tel.: [phone], Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Jean-Pierre D'Auteuil, Media Relations, Communications Branch, Quebec's Department of Economy and Innovation, Tel.: [phone], ext. 4868, Cell.: 418 559-0710

Related Links

www.infrastructure.gc.ca