Communication

The Coasters' Association continually strives to improve communication on the Lower North Shore. In an area where population density is rather low, roads between communities are non-existent and the off-coast media is inadequate for the purposes of informing citizens about their own backyard, the Association strives to diversify the spread of information and provide useful content to all.

The Association is trying to aid the growth of a regional radio network. This network provides entertainment, culture and useful commentary and news to the public on a very regular basis. The radio network is the primary source for community and public service announcements, interviews and fast-breaking local news. There are currently three radio stations on the Coast, CFBS, CFTH and CJAS.

In the basement of CJAS radio is a trio of Internet-capable computers for community use, under the watchful gazes of trained Internet guides. More such terminals are planned to be set up by the municipalities.

The Coastar, since 1991, has been a yearly newspaper providing information of Coasters and other activities, discussion on political, social and practical topics, messages from political and business figures and other writings ranging from student short stories to writings on heritage from older citizens.

Phone service is vital in an area where driving over to the next village is rather difficult. The Coasters' Association presses Quebec Telephone to reduce its rates and make this vital mode of communication more accessible to all.

Despite isolation and having to literally build some networks from the ground up, the assocaition has managed to improve the state of communications across the LNS, and is justifiably proud of having done so.