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Industry Canada press release

Government of Canada announces third round of Broadband Canada funding - Approximately 30,000 more households to benefit from broadband internet access

BRACEBRIDGE, ONTARIO, November 6, 2010 — The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, today announced details of the third round of projects conditionally approved for funding through the Broadband Canada: Connecting Rural Canadians program. These 21 latest projects will soon connect 30 184 households in four provinces and one territory to broadband Internet networks.

"These projects are the latest commitment to Canadians living in northern and rural regions through the Broadband Canada: Connecting Rural Canadians program," said Minister Clement. "The new economic opportunities these projects will create in these communities will benefit Canada for many years to come."

Minister Clement also announced that seven of the 21 projects conditionally approved for funding will be in Ontario, potentially bringing broadband to 9 614 households in the province.

"I am delighted to announce that more families, businesses and individuals in Ontario will soon have access to high-speed internet for the first time," said Minister Clement of the Ontario projects. "Our government is committed to creating new economic opportunities for northern and rural Canadians by expanding broadband internet service into their communities."

Canada's Economic Action Plan provided $225 million for the development and implementation of a strategy to extend broadband coverage. By far the biggest component of this strategy is Broadband Canada: Connecting Rural Canadians, an initiative that targets Canadians living in unserved and underserved areas. This latest round of conditionally approved funding builds on earlier project announcements, on May 9, 2010 and July 6-15, 2010. Together, these three rounds of announcements will make broadband connectivity available to nearly 250 000 Canadian households.

For the individuals, families and businesses that will soon have access to broadband Internet, important economic and social benefits, including telehealth, business opportunities and distance learning, will become available. More broadly, broadband Internet access will encourage economic development, spur innovation and improve the quality of life in hundreds of communities across Canada.

The attached backgrounder provides more information on this round of announcements. More details, including the areas covered by these projects, are available on the Broadband Canada website.

For further information (media only), please contact:

Lynn Meahan
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001

Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502

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Bell Aliant Regional Communications, Limited Partnership

Project ON-3595 to connect the following communities

Pickle Lake,
Pikangikum,
Cat Lake,
Slate Falls,
Big Trout Lake,
Musselwhite Mine,
Angling Lake,
Sandy Lake,
Keewaywin,
Poplar Hill,
Kingfisher Lake