Who handles broadband & connectivity?
Broadband & Connectivity
Broadband is primarily federal jurisdiction through the CRTC. Provinces fund rural expansion programs, and municipalities support local digital infrastructure.
⚠️ Shared Jurisdiction: This area involves multiple levels of government. The information below shows the primary responsibility at each level, but overlap is common. When in doubt, start with the level most directly related to your issue.
Key Facts
- ● The federal government has committed $895 million through the Universal Broadband Fund to connect all Canadians to high-speed internet by 2030.
- ● As of 2024, approximately 97% of Canadian households have access to at least 50 Mbps download speeds.
- ● Rural and remote communities remain the most underserved, with over 300,000 homes still lacking adequate broadband access.
Federal
Parliament of Canada
- ● CRTC telecom regulation
- ● Universal Broadband Fund
- ● Radio spectrum allocation
- ● National broadband targets
💡 Example: File a CRTC complaint about telecom services, or contact your MP about broadband funding.
Provincial
Provincial Legislature
- ● Provincial broadband expansion programs
- ● Digital infrastructure investments
- ● Provincial rural connectivity initiatives
- ● Digital literacy programs
💡 Example: Contact your provincial digital infrastructure office about rural connectivity.
Municipal
City / Town Hall
- ● Municipal broadband initiatives
- ● Public Wi-Fi in libraries and community centres
- ● Local digital equity programs
- ● Municipal fibre-optic networks
💡 Example: Contact your municipality about public Wi-Fi or local broadband projects.
Quick Reference — Who to Contact
🏛️ Federal
Your Member of Parliament (MP)
🏢 Provincial
Your MPP, MLA, or MNA
🏘️ Municipal
Your City Councillor
How to Get Involved
You can make your voice heard on this issue by contacting your elected representatives at all levels of government.
- ● Contact your MP about federal policies and programs
- ● Reach out to your provincial MLA/MPP about provincial programs and regulations
- ● Attend municipal council meetings to discuss local initiatives
- ● Join advocacy organizations focused on this issue
- ● Contact your MP to advocate for broadband expansion in your community through the Universal Broadband Fund.
- ● Participate in municipal consultations about local fiber-optic infrastructure and community network projects.
Ready to Take Action?
Use MyCivicVoice to find your representatives and draft a letter about the issues that matter to you.
Take Action →Frequently Asked Questions
The Connecting Canadians program aims to provide high-speed internet to all Canadians by 2030. It has allocated $8.9 billion to expand broadband to rural and remote communities.
Canada ranks 16th globally for average fixed broadband speed (143 Mbps as of 2024). Urban areas have fast speeds, but rural and remote communities often have limited options.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulates telecommunications, including broadband internet. The federal government sets policy and funding programs.
The CRTC established a Universal Service Obligation requiring internet providers to offer basic broadband (50 Mbps down / 10 Mbps up) to all Canadians at an affordable price.
Contact your local government about broadband expansion programs, join community broadband cooperatives, and advocate for infrastructure investment through your MP.