Canada Boosts Internet Access in Underserved Communities
- The Canadian Radio-television and telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is committed to expanding Internet access across Canada, particularly in underserved communities.
- Since its launch in 2019, the CRTC's Broadband Fund has committed over $730 million to expand Internet access in more than 270 communities.
- The Broadband Fund is a crucial step towards ensuring that all Canadians have access to reliable and affordable Internet services.
Bridging the Digital Divide: Canada’s Push for Global Internet Access
Table of Contents
- Bridging the Digital Divide: Canada’s Push for Global Internet Access
- Bridging the Digital Divide in Canada: A Q&A on the CRTC’s Broadband Fund
- What is the CRTC broadband Fund and what does it aim to achieve?
- How much money has the CRTC broadband fund committed to date?
- Which regions benefit most from the CRTC Broadband fund?
- How does the CRTC support Indigenous communities through the Broadband Fund?
- What specific projects have been funded recently by the CRTC Broadband Fund?
- What impact do communities expect from the CRTC investments?
- What improvements were made to expand the Broadband Fund in December of 2024?
- What is the CRTC doing to improve Internet access in the Far North of Canada?
- How can I stay informed about future funding announcements from the CRTC Broadband Fund?
- CRTC Broadband Fund: Rapid Facts
The Canadian Radio-television and telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is committed to expanding Internet access across Canada, particularly in underserved communities.
CRTC’s Broadband Fund: Connecting Canadians
Since its launch in 2019, the CRTC’s Broadband Fund has committed over $730 million to expand Internet access in more than 270 communities. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide for households and essential institutions across the country.
The Broadband Fund is a crucial step towards ensuring that all Canadians have access to reliable and affordable Internet services. This initiative not only enhances connectivity but also supports economic growth and social progress in underserved areas.
Most recently, the CRTC allocated $14 million to CityWest cable to construct 250 kilometers of fibre infrastructure across British Columbia and Yukon. Community leaders believe this investment will boost local businesses and improve access to healthcare.
Focus on Indigenous Communities
The CRTC is refining its approach to better support Indigenous communities through an Indigenous Stream. This initiative is designed to strengthen connectivity in historically underserved regions.
additional funding and policy updates are expected soon, signaling a continued push toward digital equity across Canada.
CRTC on Facilitating High-Speed Fibre Internet
The CRTC emphasizes its role as an self-reliant body regulating the Canadian communications sector in the public interest.
Canadians need access to reliable, affordable, and high-quality Internet and cellphone services for every part of their daily lives.
CRTC
The Broadband Fund, launched in 2019, is a key component of this effort, aiming to connect rural, remote, and Indigenous communities across Canada.
The CRTC contributes to a broad effort by federal, provincial, and territorial governments to address the gap in connectivity in underserved areas.
To date, the Broadband Fund has committed over $730 million to improve high-speed Internet and cellphone services for over 270 communities, connecting essential institutions such as schools, band offices, and health care and community centers. This represents over 47,000 households and over 630 kilometers of major transportation roads. Further details are available on our website.
Recent Funding Allocation
On January 30, 2025, the CRTC committed over $14 million to CityWest Cable and Telephone Corp. to build approximately 250 kilometers of new transport fibre infrastructure. This project will bring high-capacity transport services to the communities of Jade City and Good Hope Lake (Dease River) in British Columbia, as well as Upper Liard in the Yukon.
The goal is to improve access to reliable and high-quality Internet service in thes areas.
Community Support and Impact
The project has garnered support from the impacted communities,with letters emphasizing the positive impact on daily life,including new opportunities for local businesses and improved access to health care.
Telecom Decision 2025-30 included a summary of these letters:
CityWest provided evidence of direct notification to all affected communities and received letters of support, including from the 3Nations Society, a partnership between Tahltan, Kaska, and Taku River Tlingit First Nations (the Kaska Nation is made up of five Kaska First Nations, which cover two of the affected communities), and the premier of the Yukon. The 3Nations Society stated that collaborative efforts with CityWest have fostered a sense of shared purpose, and it anticipates that this collective support will considerably contribute to the success of the project.
Telecom Decision 2025-30
The Premier of the Yukon noted the potential for dependable high-speed Internet to open new economic and social possibilities for Yukoners and support healthy, vibrant, and sustainable communities.
The CRTC continues to assess Broadband Fund applications and will make more funding announcements in the coming months.
Improvements to the Broadband Fund
In December 2024, the CRTC announced its first decision to improve the fund and help advance reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
During its consultation, the CRTC received comments from 75 groups and individuals, including consumer groups, Indigenous organizations and governments, and Internet and cellphone service providers.
As part of this decision, the CRTC is working to better support Indigenous applicants and communities by providing funding to build skills and support Indigenous-owned networks. The CRTC is also requiring applicants to engage meaningfully with Indigenous communities and provide proof of consent from any Indigenous community where they plan to build infrastructure.
The CRTC will issue more decisions as part of its review and will launch the Indigenous Stream of the Broadband Fund later this year.
Initiatives for the Far North
As part of its broader efforts to improve Internet and cellphone services across Canada, the CRTC is taking action to help ensure residents of the Far North have access to reliable and affordable Internet services.
The CRTC also created an Indigenous Relations Team to support Indigenous participation in its proceedings and ensure the distinct nature and lived experiences of Indigenous peoples are considered across the CRTC’s work.
Bridging the Digital Divide in Canada: A Q&A on the CRTC’s Broadband Fund
Canada is committed to ensuring all its citizens, regardless of location, have access to reliable and affordable internet. The canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is spearheading this effort through its Broadband Fund. This Q&A explores the fund,its impact,and its initiatives to bridge the digital divide across the country.
What is the CRTC broadband Fund and what does it aim to achieve?
The CRTC Broadband Fund is an initiative launched in 2019 to expand internet access in underserved communities across Canada. The primary aim of the Broadband Fund is to bridge the digital divide,ensuring that households and essential institutions in rural,remote,and Indigenous communities have access to reliable and affordable internet services. By improving connectivity, the fund supports economic growth, social progress, and access to essential services like healthcare and education in these areas. To date, the fund has committed over $730 million to connect over 270 communities.
How much money has the CRTC broadband fund committed to date?
since its launch in 2019, the CRTC’s Broadband Fund has committed over $730 million to expand Internet access in more than 270 communities across Canada.
Which regions benefit most from the CRTC Broadband fund?
The CRTC Broadband Fund focuses primarily on rural, remote, and Indigenous communities that are traditionally underserved. These regions ofen lack the infrastructure necessary to provide high-speed internet access. Recent funding allocations, such as the $14 million to CityWest Cable, target communities in British Columbia and the Yukon, demonstrating the fund’s commitment to improving connectivity in the Far North and other remote areas.
How does the CRTC support Indigenous communities through the Broadband Fund?
The CRTC is enhancing its support for indigenous communities through an Indigenous Stream within the Broadband Fund. This initiative aims to strengthen connectivity in historically underserved Indigenous regions. The CRTC is working to better support Indigenous applicants and communities by providing funding to build skills and support Indigenous-owned networks and is requiring applicants to engage meaningfully with Indigenous communities and provide proof of consent from any Indigenous community where they plan to build infrastructure.The CRTC has also established an Indigenous Relations Team to ensure the distinct nature and lived experiences of Indigenous peoples are considered across the CRTC’s work.
What specific projects have been funded recently by the CRTC Broadband Fund?
On January 30, 2025, the CRTC committed over $14 million to CityWest Cable and Telephone Corp. to build approximately 250 kilometers of new transport fibre infrastructure. This project aims to bring high-capacity transport services to the communities of Jade City and Good Hope Lake (Dease River) in British Columbia, as well as upper Liard in the Yukon, improving access to reliable and high-quality Internet service in these areas.
What impact do communities expect from the CRTC investments?
Communities anticipate new opportunities for local businesses, improved access to healthcare, and enhanced daily life due to the increased reliability and quality of internet services. These benefits are highlighted in letters of support from impacted communities,emphasizing the positive changes expected from these projects.
Such as, the 3Nations Society, a partnership between Tahltan, Kaska, and Taku River Tlingit First Nations, anticipates that the collaborative efforts with CityWest will considerably contribute to the success of the project. The Premier of the Yukon also noted the potential for dependable high-speed Internet to open new economic and social possibilities.
What improvements were made to expand the Broadband Fund in December of 2024?
In December 2024, the CRTC announced its first decision to improve the fund and help advance reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. This involved refining its approach to better support indigenous communities through an Indigenous Stream. As part of this decision, the CRTC is providing funding to build skills and support Indigenous-owned networks and is requiring applicants to engage meaningfully with Indigenous communities and provide proof of consent from any Indigenous community where they plan to build infrastructure.
What is the CRTC doing to improve Internet access in the Far North of Canada?
the CRTC is taking specific actions to ensure residents of the Far North have access to reliable and affordable internet services as part of its broader efforts to improve internet and cellphone services across Canada.
How can I stay informed about future funding announcements from the CRTC Broadband Fund?
The CRTC regularly assesses Broadband Fund applications and makes funding announcements. You can stay informed about future announcements by visiting the CRTC website (https://crtc.gc.ca/) and following their news releases.
CRTC Broadband Fund: Rapid Facts
| Feature | Details |
| ———————- | ———————————————————————————————————————- |
| Launch Date | 2019 |
| Total Funds Committed | Over $730 million |
| Communities Impacted | Over 270 |
| Focus Areas | Rural, remote, and Indigenous communities |
| Recent Project | $14 million to CityWest Cable for fibre infrastructure in BC and Yukon |
| Indigenous Support | Indigenous Stream, skill-building funds, Indigenous Relations Team, proof of consent from any Indigenous community |