432-00134 (Media and telecommunications)

Even before the COVID-19 crisis began, the Government of Canada recognized that fast, reliable and affordable high-speed Internet is a necessity, not a luxury, for all Canadians, including those living in rural and remote communities. Canadians need access to high-speed Internet to telework, to access online medicine, to participate in online classes and more. In light of the COVID-19 crisis, access to high-speed Internet is critical for the economic development of rural and remote communities and for Canada’s overall recovery from the pandemic.Through the national broadband strategy, High-Speed Access for All: Canada’s Connectivity Strategy, the government committed to connect all Canadians to high-speed Internet by 2030 with access to Internet speeds of at least 50 Megabits per second (Mbps) download and 10 Mbps upload no matter where they live.The government has made billions of dollars available, through several programs, to support the building of rural and remote Internet infrastructure.  This includes the new $1.75 billion Universal Broadband Fund (UBF), which launched on November 9^th, 2020, and reflects the comments and feedback partners and stakeholders have provided to improve on previous broadband programs. The simplified and improved application process includes a new tool that will allow applicants to map their projects on our National Broadband Internet Service Availability Map which provides comprehensive and precise mapping data detailing retail broadband Internet services and wholesale backbone infrastructure in Canada. The map offers improved granular coverage data to an accuracy of 250m, as well as 25km² hexagons, to quickly identify areas where projects could be developed. The UBF will also provide a pathfinder service for applicants who need more support to build partnerships, point to potential sources of funding, and navigate the application process. This will ensure that the UBF can support the needs of all applicants, but particularly smaller applicants such as municipalities or Indigenous groups.

To ensure communities can be connected as quickly as possible, the UBF includes up to $150 million for a Rapid Response Intake dedicated to projects that will be completed by November 15, 2021. The Universal Broadband Fund also includes $50 million to improve mobile services in areas that will primarily benefit Indigenous peoples. The government is providing this additional funding to advance large scale, high-impact projects, to partner with the Canada Infrastructure Bank and other interested partners.

The Government of Canada has entered into an agreement with Telesat to secure high-speed Internet capacity over Canada through the company’s low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. Telesat’s constellation will utilize next- generation technology to significantly improve connectivity in rural and remote Canada, including the far north. Under the agreement, the Government has committed up to $600 million to secure capacity on Telesat’s LEO satellite constellation. This capacity will be made available to Internet service providers at a reduced rate in order to provide high-speed, reliable Internet access to the most challenging rural and remote communities in Canada. These investments are part of a multi-billion dollar suite of federal initiatives aimed at improving Canadians’ access to broadband Internet in all parts of the country.

While the Government of Canada is playing a leadership role by providing funding, it is imperative that all orders of government across Canada, as well as the private sector, Internet service providers and other stakeholders, lend support and resources to closing the broadband gap and achieving the targets set out in Canada’s Connectivity Strategy.

The Governments of Canada and Ontario have been investing in high-speed Internet access in Ontario for several years. For example, in 2016, a combined investment was made in the South Western Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) initiative. This not-for-profit, collective broadband project is funding the construction of an affordable, open-access, ultra-high-speed fibre-optic regional broadband network for everyone in southwestern Ontario, Caledon and the Niagara Region. To overcome Ontario’s longstanding broadband infrastructure gaps, SWIFT has developed a long-term plan to help more than 3.5 million Ontarians connect and keep pace in a changing digital world. 

Ontario is also making a significant commitment to expanding high-speed Internet and mobile wireless infrastructure under Ontario’s Broadband and Cellular Action Plan. The Governments of Canada and Ontario will continue to collaborate closely to ensure that Ontarians without access to high-speed Internet get connected.

Providing Canadians with access to high-speed Internet will help close gaps caused by geography and increase equality of access to health, education and employment in a digital economy. The Government of Canada is committed to connecting all Canadians and we have created the conditions to accomplish this goal.