Réseau Picanoc.net receives $255,000 in Government of Canada funding to complete broadband deployment

June 19, 2009

Bristol, Quebec, June 19, 2009 −Acting on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for Pontiac, today announced the awarding of $255,000 in non-repayable funding to Réseau Picanoc.net. This investment will allow high-speed Internet access to be extended to 25 communities in the Pontiac and Vallée-de-la-Gatineau Regional County Municipality (RCM), thereby enabling 250 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to add e-commerce to their business practices.

This funding will make it possible to extend deployment of the broadband network, a key regional priority, giving the communities and SMEs access to high-speed connection. With the services already offered by existing service providers, this project will ensure coverage of virtually the entire Outaouais region. This contribution is intended for the acquisition and installation of 24 wireless Internet transmission towers to serve the smaller communities and surrounding rural areas.  

“To attract investment and new enterprises, a region needs to be able to capitalize on its advantages. High-speed Internet access will catapult Pontiac and the Gatineau Valley into the new economy. We are convinced that the project being announced today will produce positive benefits on both territories by stimulating economic activity, improving competitiveness and increasing the drawing power of these areas. To bring markets closer and facilitate business and trade, fast and reliable access to the Web is an absolute must today,” noted Minister Cannon.

In this era of information and communications technologies, the Internet is an indispensable tool for development. With the globalized economy, more and more businesses are conducting activities online in order to break into new markets and expand their client base.   

“We firmly believe that the community as a whole stands to reap the benefits of this project, which will translate into a competitive advantage that is sure to encourage new enterprises to set up shop in rural Outaouais while fostering the growth and expansion of those already here. Our support for this project is entirely in line with this and directly reflects the vision and priorities laid out in our Advantage Canada plan: to build a strong economy capable of ensuring all Canadians a better quality of life,” Minister Cannon concluded.

This funding has been awarded through Canada Economic Development’s Community Diversification program.