Connecting Quebec to high-speed Internet with the Universal Broadband Fund

Today, the Government’s Quebec Lieutenant, the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, highlighted the launch of the Universal Broadband Fund. This investment of $1.75 billion will help connect the regions of Quebec to high-speed Internet, faster. Originally announced in Budget 2019 as a $1 billion program, the Government is now providing additional funding to advance large, high-impact projects, which will leverage partnerships including with the Canada Infrastructure Bank broadband initiative. The program will include a $150 million Rapid Response Stream with an accelerated application process for projects that will allow shovel-ready projects that can be completed in the next year. The UBF will also allocate $50 million of its total budget for mobile Internet projects that primarily benefit Indigenous peoples. This investment will help connect 98 per cent of Canadians across the country to high-speed Internet by 2026 so that they can better participate in the digital economy.