FORT MCMURRAY, ALBERTA — On behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, Brian Jean, Member of Parliament for Fort McMurray – Athabasca announced today that 3 projects to bring broadband Internet access to the region have received conditional approval.  The total funding of the three projects is $6,608,819.

“Broadband opens the door to business opportunities, government services and online education. It can help us keep in touch with our friends and families,” said Mr. Jean. “These projects represent an important improvement of service — and quality of life — for the people of Fort McMurray – Athabasca.”

“We are obviously delighted that our application was conditionally approved for funding,” added Amir Bigloo, General Manager of Corridor Communications. “Canada has long led the way in making broadband widely available, and we are pleased to be part of any efforts to reach those Canadians who still lack access.”

“Having access to high-speed Internet coverage today is just as important in terms of bringing people and communities together as the railroads and highway systems were in the past,” said Mr. Jean. “Fort McMurray – Athabasca will benefit from this investment for years to come.”

While details of the contribution agreement will be finalized shortly, Industry Canada with Corridor Communications and PCC Communications Inc. will offer approximately 10,212 households in the region the opportunity to sign up for reasonably priced broadband service. Work on the project must be completed by December 31, 2011.

Budget 2009 — Canada’s Economic Action Plan provided $225 million to Industry Canada to develop and implement a strategy to extend broadband Internet coverage across Canada. More information about this program is available on the Broadband Canada: Connecting Rural Canadians website (www.ic.gc.ca/broadband). You are also encouraged to learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan (www.actionplan.gc.ca).