July 8, 2002

Last Friday, July 5, forest fires currently burning in the James’ Bay region, damaged Télébec’s Nemiscau facilities, but did no other damage to company property.

Fewer than one hundred customers, most of whom are Hydro-Québec employees, are currently without telephone services. Télébec and Expertech employees have been working on-site since the beginning of the incident, and emergency lines were up and working by Saturday night. The limited extent of the damage means that telephone services should be completely restored by July 12.

Other telephone facilities in the region neighbouring the forest fires are protected for the moment, thanks to increased surveillance. This means that, as necessary, we can initiate bush-clearing, levelling and water-bombing sorties.

Télébec apologizes to its customers for the interruption of services in these unusual circumstances.

For further information:

Julie Charlebois
Communications and Public Affairs Manager
1 800 567-6485 ext. 7023 or (819) 280-4445