The government of Canada said it will invest over CAD 16.5 million in the Eeyou Communications Network, a not-for-profit telecom corporation that provides broadband services for the Cree communities of Eeyou Istchee and municipalities of the James Bay region. The fibre backbone network will provide high-speed broadband to 16 communities, as well as a last-mile network for underserved households in three of these communities in the Nord-du-Quebec and Mauricie regions. The last-mile networks will improve broadband capacity for 6,176 underserved households in the regions. 

The government noted that work was recently completed in Nord-du-Quebec’s Matagami, Chapais, Lebel-sur-Quevillon and Chibougamau, serving 5,826 additional households and 252 additional businesses.

Of the total funding amount, CAD 5 million will be given through the Government of Canada’s Connect to Innovate programme, CAD 3.3 million will come from the Connected Quebec programme, CAD 6.7 million will come from the Plan Nord Corporation, CAD 1.2 million will  be from the James Bay Regional Authority and CAD 324,494 from Indigenous Services Canada. The Government of Canada launched its Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) in November, with CAD 1.75 billion earmarked to help connect the regions of Quebec to high-speed internet, faster. 

The government of Canada launched its Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) in November, with CAD 1.75 billion earmarked to help connect the regions of Quebec to high-speed internet, faster. The federal government has launched a CAD 150 million Rapid Response Stream to fund shovel-ready projects that can bring high-speed internet to communities within the next 12 months. The government also entered into a USD 600 million agreement to secure high-speed Internet access for Canada’s most remote areas, including the Far North, through Telesat’s low Earth orbit satellite constellation.