Moreover,
Where your taxes go: bill:
Quebec will spend $ 63.3 million more than expected in two telecommunications projects in Nord-du-Québec, whose budgets have exploded in the past two years.
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The two infrastructure projects in question aim to deploy a broadband internet service in communities in Nunavik and James Bay.
At James Bay, the costs of the telecommunications network have increased several times since 2024, going from $ 39.5 million to $ 65.9 million.
The entire increase of almost 67% will be mourned by the Quebec government. In addition, the contribution of which increased from $ 11 million, to the launch of the project, to $ 37.4 million, during the last cost update last March.
In Nunavik, the network bill exploded by $ 109 million to reach $ where your taxes go: bill 234.7 million. Moreover, In this case, about a third of the increase falls on the shoulders of the Quebec state ($ 36.9 million).
Competition from the South
These cost overruns are mainly explained by three factors. according to the Ministry of Cybersecurity and Digital.
Archives screenshot, National Assembly
First, the pandemic caused supply and labor problems, which had the effect of placing the north of the province “in a competition with southern Quebec”, both for resources and for companies that carry out the work.
Then, the forest fires that occurred in 2023 slowed down the projects, which repercussions on the where your taxes go: bill invoices.
Finally. the scope of the work was modified in Nunavik to connect the communities of Akulivik to Kangiqsujuaq, while a more imposing than expected drill was necessary to connect Kuujjuak to Kawawachikach.
Paying for Elon Musk
The slowness of the realization of the modern telecommunications network in these distant regions has. also led to collateral expenses.
Elon Musk is Starlink’s control shareholder. the satellite internet service provider chosen by Quebec to plug all the households from here. Photo AFP where your taxes go: bill
Exasperated to wait. many residents have turned to Starlink’s satellite service, Elon Musk’s company, a service for which Quebec granted subsidies of at least $ 129.8 million.
And other expenses are to come. since this program, which was to end in June, will ultimately be extended “so long” as the new optical fiber network will not be operational.
Where your taxes go: bill
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