TELUS investing $10 billion in Quebec through 2028 to support vital network connectivity, sustainability and innovation

Press Release

MAY 15, 2024

Montreal (Quebec) – TELUS is investing more than $10 billion to significantly expand and improve its network infrastructure and operations across Quebec over the next five years, supporting innovation, growth and strong, vibrant communities. It’s also part of a larger commitment to deploy $73 billion across Canada by 2028 to develop infrastructure, improve sustainability and advance its network technology. These investments are critical to connecting Quebecers with the people, resources and information that enrich their lives and underscores TELUS’ unwavering commitment to advancing technology and connectivity nationwide. Since 2000, TELUS has invested more than $35 billion in Quebec to build and develop network infrastructure, operations and spectrum, connecting families and businesses to TELUS’ world-leading 5G and TELUS PureFibre networks and cementing TELUS’ position as the nation’s fastest internet service provider.*

“At TELUS, we know that a reliable and powerful network is essential in keeping Quebecers connected to the people, information and resources that matter most,” said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO of TELUS. “That is why we are investing more than $10 billion in network infrastructure, operations and spectrum in Quebec over the next five years, bringing our total commitment to $73 billion across Canada by 2028. These investments will ensure that our customers continue to benefit from the best network experience in the world, which facilitates crucial, generational changes in healthcare, education, teleworking, the environment and our digital economy and societies. Perhaps most importantly, our networks also bridge digital and socioeconomic divides, so every member of our society has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

TELUS is shaping the future by using its world-leading networks to enhance productivity and foster positive innovations in health, education, agriculture, climate change, energy, transportation and social equity, helping to fuel economic growth across the province. Driven by a deep sense of compassion and inspired by its dedicated team, TELUS is committed to addressing the most pressing challenges of today. The company is focused on delivering industry-best technology solutions and programs that positively impact lives, with ongoing plans through 2028 to make a meaningful difference in Quebec and across Canada.

Now through 2028 in Quebec, TELUS is:

• Enhancing its world-leading networks to make them faster, smarter and greener

• TELUS is collaborating with the government of Quebec and the CRTC through two separate grant programs to expand its 5G network to isolated and rural communities and road sections in the regions of Eastern Quebec and Chaudière-Appalaches. The company is actively working on deploying nearly 80 new cell sites, bridging the digital divide by fostering innovation in local businesses, promoting the tourism industry, attracting young workers and families, and accelerating the development of virtual services in health and education.
• TELUS is enhancing its 5G network with ORAN technology across Quebec and Canada, creating more reliable, adaptable and faster connections. It’s not just smarter, it’s also kinder to the planet by using resources more efficiently and cutting down on energy use.

• • • TELUS is using AI and advanced analytics to plan new infrastructure builds that will optimize coverage and network performance.

• Fueling innovation of Quebec’s businesses, researchers and creative geniuses

• TELUS is continuing its partnerships with Zú, a Montreal hub established by founder of the Cirque du Soleil, Guy Laliberté, empowering entrepreneurs who use technology to develop products that transform creative industries.

• • • TELUS is participating in Canada’s first quantum communication test bed with technology think tank, Numana to fuel Quebec’s technological dynamism. By creating an innovation hub, TELUS will bring together companies and researchers that will contribute to strengthening the security of computer communications.

• Celebrating ten years and 215,000 people served by TELUS Mobile Health Clinics

• TELUS Health for Good Mobile Clinics are providing healthcare to the most marginalized among us while respecting their privacy and dignity. With over $13 million invested in cash, in-kind contributions, time and support nationwide, the program is now celebrating 10 years of providing care in 25 Canadian communities. In Quebec alone, with $4.4 million invested, the program has facilitated more than 19,000 visits, preventing an estimated 4,000 emergency room trips, reducing healthcare system strain and offering accessible care options.

• • • TELUS has partnered with Old Brewery Mission, an organization which provides health and social support to people experiencing homelessness, to launch a new mobile health clinic in Montreal in March, 2023.

• Cheering on CF Montreal and inspiring youth through sport

• • • TELUS is proud to be a major sponsor of CF Montreal, investing in various initiatives to foster soccer’s growth through youth development programs, bursaries for the women’s academy and community-driven events.

• Empowering communities 

• • • Strengthening cultural and athletic ties, TELUS invests over $2 million annually in the Grand Théâtre de Québec, Opération Enfant Soleil, Rouge et Or, Grandes Fêtes TELUS, Festival Musique du Bout du Monde, Vieux-quai en fête, Baie-Comeau Drakkar and Rimouski Océanic, Spec’Art, Tremblant, Mont-Ste-Anne, Stoneham and the MTELUS venue.

• Innovating for a more sustainable future

• TELUS’ 2023 Sustainability and ESG Report highlights its significant efforts and progress to meet the company’s ambitious goal to use 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2025. Notably, TELUS has issued six sustainability-linked bonds since 2021 totaling CAD 3.7 billion and USD 900 million, tying the progress on reaching its science-based operational decarbonization goals to its financing needs. The company’s dedication to environmental goals has earned it a spot on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the 23 consecutive year.
• Notably, TELUS offers internet and mobile connectivity to allow its customers to live, work, learn, shop and see a doctor – virtually – from anywhere, thereby reducing unnecessary commuting and helping its customers transition to a low-carbon, nature-positive future.li>
• Continuing its emphasis on sustainability, TELUS has successfully diverted over 15 million devices from landfills and has up-cycled or recycled more than four million mobile devices since 2005. To help bridge the digital divide TELUS has donated more than 32,000 devices to help keep those in need connected and since 2001, has donated more than 38,000 computers to the Government of Canada’s Computers for School program.

• • • TELUS and the Amis des Jardins de Métis share a common passion for giving back and have partnered on a social and environmental mission through their famous gardens. In the past two years, TELUS and the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation gave close to $40,000 to Les Amis des Jardins de Métis to finance sustainability projects, including the shoreline revitalization project in Sainte-Flavie.

• Revolutionizing entertainment 

• TELUS is revolutionizing the home entertainment experience with Stream+, an all-encompassing bundle that combines three of Canada’s top streaming services. This offering is now available nationwide for both TELUS and Koodo customers, ensuring everyone can enjoy their favourite content seamlessly, including French and Quebec content from Club illico and ICI TOU.TV EXTRA.

• • • Earlier this year, Koodo’s Happy Stack, the ultimate package for connectivity and entertainment, extended its reach, offering customers in Quebec the opportunity to combine mobility, home internet and entertainment into one convenient and cost-effective bundle.

• Advancing its commitment to reconciliation

• In July 2023, TELUS announced a doubling of its commitment to the TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund from $1 million to $2 million over the next five years. The fund offers grants for Indigenous-led social, health and community programs. Since its inception in November 2021, TELUS has distributed $575,000 in cash donations to 29 community programs such as Les Productions Innu Assi which will invest the funds in the Sharing 10,000 years of history project, the Atanukana by Charles-Api Bellefleur, and other programs supporting food security, education, cultural and linguistic revitalization, wildfire relief efforts, and the health, mental-health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples across Quebec and Canada.

• • • Continuing its commitment and efforts in reconciliation, TELUS is rebranding several of its service vehicles with artwork by local indigenous artists. A newly-wrapped TELUS fleet vehicle in Listuguj, Quebec features artwork by local artist Tracey Metallic of the Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation.

From 2000 through 2023, TELUS has invested $259 billion nationally in network infrastructure, operations and spectrum, including more than $35 billion in Quebec. These investments are consistent with TELUS’ capital expenditure guidance for 2024 as disclosed in the company’s fourth quarter 2023 results and 2024 targets news release dated February 9, 2024.

TELUS also embraces tax morality as a means of further investing in the communities it serves. Since 2000, TELUS has paid approximately $57 billion in total tax and spectrum remittances to federal, provincial, and municipal governments across Canada, consisting of corporate income taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, employer portion of payroll taxes, various regulatory fees, and spectrum remittances, including more than $2.3 billion in taxes in 2023 alone. These funds support public works projects, education, healthcare, cultural pursuits, and other initiatives that improve the social and economic well-being of the communities TELUS operates in.

Since 2000, TELUS, its team members and retirees have provided over $95 million in cash, in-kind contributions, time and programs and volunteered 1.6 million hours to charities and community organizations located in Quebec.

For more information, please contact:

Camille Finnegan
TELUS Public Relations
camille.finnegan@telus.com

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