Minister Lapierre Announces Funding to the Union des chambres de commerce et d'industrie de Portneuf Organization to bring Broadband Internet Service to Additional Aboriginal, Northern and Rural Communities

SAINT-MARC-DES-CARRIÈRES, Quebec, November 24, 2005 — The Honourable Jean-C. Lapierre, Minister of Transport, on behalf of the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, is pleased to announce that up to $735 527 in program savings from Industry Canada's Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program is available to be invested toward the Union des chambres de commerce et d'industrie de Portneuf Organization to deploy broadband, or high-capacity Internet, to local communities that are currently not served by broadband. This project represents an estimated 21 communities, as defined by the participant and originally submitted in the project's business proposal.

The Broadband Pilot Program's implementation funding was made available to 58 successful recipients based on their initial estimated project costs, and funding was subject to successful negotiations among all parties. During these negotiations some recipients were able to identify savings in areas such as equipment and service costs. In some cases, recipients were able to secure additional funding partners, thereby reducing the amount of funding required from the Broadband Pilot Program. This resulted in additional funds becoming available to be invested toward four broadband implementation projects, which includes the Union des chambres de commerce et d'industrie de Portneuf Organization.

"This investment in broadband is about vibrant, livable and sustainable communities with great opportunities," said Minister Lapierre. "The Government of Canada is dedicated to providing the tools that communities need to shape their long-term future and providing a platform for them to reach out to the world."

The funding announced today is subject to successful negotiations among all parties through a formal contribution agreement. There is also the potential for additional projects to be considered, contingent upon available program savings.

Broadband is defined as a high-capacity Internet connection, capable of supporting full-motion, real-time audio and video applications. It serves as a pipeline for delivering innovative applications, putting services in areas such as health, education and business within easy reach of all Canadians.

To date, the Broadband Pilot Program has reached out to 884 communities, including 116 First Nations Reserves. The Broadband Pilot Program complements the $155-million National Satellite Initiative. In the October 2004 Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada reaffirmed its commitment to regional development across Canada. Broadband service to rural and remote communities will ultimately provide Aboriginal, northern and rural communities with more opportunities to move forward socially and economically.

Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal Budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

More information on the Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program is available at http://www.broadband.gc.ca.

Christiane Fox
Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson
Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001

Irène Marcheterre
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Jean-C. Lapierre
Minister of Transport
(613) 991-0700