Information technology

Housing co-operatives are now eligible for the Ordinateurs pour les écoles du Québec (Computers for Quebec Schools) program, a national program that refurbishes computers donated by the government, private businesses and individuals to be distributed to schools, libraries and other non-profit organizations.

As a result of FECHIMM's work since the fall of 2016, housing co-operatives have recently been added to the list of organizations that qualify for the program. Depending on your needs, your housing co-operative could obtain computers and refurbished computer equipment free of charge or at a very low cost.

For example, the equipment may be used for the day-to-day management of the co-op's operations, for training activities for the members or for the development of an Internet café for the residents. However, in every case, the computer equipment must remain the property of the co-op who applies for it.

To qualify for the program, your co-operative must first of all complete the online eligibility form and attach a copy of its charter specifying that it does not pay out any dividends and does not pay interest on preferred shares issued to members. Once your eligibility has been confirmed, you can order directly from the OPEQ catalog.

By taking part in the program, your co-operative will make an economic, social and environmental choice. In addition to offering free or low cost equipment, OPEQ is contributing to the re-use and recycling of computer equipment. In order to do this, the organization has partnered with workshops that help young people through training and social integration programs.

Active throughout the province, OPEQ has two sorting centers, six workshops and an administrative center. More than 233,000 table top computers and laptops have been donated to schools and non-profit organizations since the program was launched in 1998.

OPEQ CLICK, a program allowing low-income people to purchase a refurbished table top computer at a low cost is also available. For more information on the terms and conditions of this program, visit the OPEQ website.