OTTAWA,
ON and GATINEAU, QC,
July 22,
2024 /CNW/ - Today, the CRTC is taking action to
bring high-speed fibre Internet to five Inuit communities in
northern Quebec, all of which are
official language minority communities. This project will build on
past Broadband Fund projects in the Nunavik region and ensure that
all Kativik communities are connected to high-speed
Internet.
Through its Broadband Fund, the CRTC is committing $79.4 million to the Kativik Regional Government
to build a 933-kilometre fibre link, which will connect the
communities of Kangiqsualujjuaq,
Aupaluk, Tasiujaq, Quaqtaq, and Kangirsuk to high-speed Internet services.
This project will connect more than 40 essential institutions, such
as schools and health care centres, and will offer social,
educational, and economic benefits to the communities. It will also
support future projects to connect businesses and over 700
households.
The project received support from the impacted communities and
many organizations, including the Makivvik Corporation, which is
the legal representative for the Inuit in Nunavik. Makivvik's
letter of support emphasized the positive impact this project would
have on life in Nunavik, including improving public safety,
connecting family and friends, and enhancing businesses' ability to
reach customers.
The CRTC is continuing to assess Broadband Fund applications and
will make more funding announcements in the coming months.
Quote
"High-quality communications services are important to
every aspect of our daily lives. This project will connect five
remote Inuit communities in northern Quebec to high-speed Internet. This will have
a significant impact in these communities, connecting over 40
public institutions, including schools and health care
centres."
- Vicky Eatrides, Chairperson and
Chief Executive Officer, CRTC
Quick facts
- The CRTC is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that
regulates the Canadian communications sector in the public
interest. The CRTC holds public consultations on telecommunications
and broadcasting matters and makes decisions based on the public
record.
- In 2019, the CRTC launched the Broadband Fund to help connect
underserved rural, remote and Indigenous communities across
Canada. To date, the CRTC has
committed over $694 million in nearly
250 communities and along nearly 540 kilometres of major
transportation roads.
- The CRTC created the Indigenous Relations Team to act as a
dedicated point of contact at the CRTC for First Nations, Inuit and
Métis communities and interested parties. The team supports
Indigenous participation in CRTC proceedings and ensures the
distinct nature and lived experiences of Indigenous peoples are
considered across the CRTC's work.
Associated links
- Broadband Fund – Project funding approval for the Kativik
Regional Government's transport fibre project in northern
Quebec
- CRTC Broadband Fund: Project selected in July 2024
- Broadband Fund: Closing the Digital Divide in Canada
- Broadband Fund – Third call for applications (Notice of
Consultation CRTC 2022-325)
- Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2023-89 – Call for comments
– Broadband Fund policy review
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SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications
Commission