Businesses rely on broadband Internet to innovate, compete and grow. Canadians rely on it to support their quality of life, from health care to education to public safety. Yet at least two million Canadians still don't have reliable Internet access. Most of them live in rural, remote and northern communities.

We’ve been clear that high-speed Internet access is about building better lives. In Budget 2019, the federal government acted directly on our local expertise, responding to FCM’s advocacy by investing significantly in broadband and wireless connectivity. That’s a major boost for rural, northern and remote communities—for their economies and quality of life. Now we stand ready to help bring reliable Internet to all Canadians, no matter where they live.    

COVID-19 has shown just how urgent it is to close Canada’s digital divide. Confined to their homes for months, millions of Canadians turned to the Internet for work, for school—and for basic human connection.

Canada’s recovery depends on ensuring communities of all sizes reach their full potential. Bringing reliable broadband to smaller communities recognizes that they are vital to Canada’s economy, our recovery—and our future. Reliable Internet is essential. Rural, remote and northern communities shouldn’t have to wait any longer.


Featured news & resources

See featured resources, news, events and training related to Broadband.
Resources
Roadmap to connectivity

This guide is designed to help unserved and underserved communities establish connectivity to reliable high-speed Internet.

News
Municipal leaders ready to work with new federal government to build Canada’s recovery

FCM President Joanne Vanderheyden issued the following statement at the conclusion of the September 20-24 online meeting of FCM’s Board of Directors, comprised of municipal leaders from communities of all sizes and regions across Canada.

Resources
Frontline solutions for Canada’s recovery

Election 2021 is an opportunity for federal parties to show how they’ll build a stronger and more inclusive Canada. Local govts are ready to work together to get the job done. Read our election priorities.

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Election 2021: Municipalities lay out frontline solutions

As the federal election campaign heats up, FCM is calling on all parties to work with cities and communities of all sizes to drive a stronger, more inclusive nationwide recovery—releasing a package of achievable frontline solutions to pressing challenges, from job creation to climate change to the housing crisis.

Resources
Telecommunications: CRTC affirms municipal role in 5G deployment

FCM secured a victory on behalf of municipalities, when the CRTC affirmed FCM’s arguments about the municipal role in 5G deployment and managing municipal rights of way. These are some of the most significant policy pronouncements by the CRTC on the role of municipalities in ensuring connectivity for Canadians.

News
FCM welcomes launch of Universal Broadband Fund

FCM welcomes the federal government’s launch today of the Universal Broadband Fund—a critical step in the delivery of better broadband access to communities across the country

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2M
Canadians who can’t access a reliable Internet connection
39%
rural communities that report no access to 20-50 Mbps download speeds
13%
rural households that report no access to 5 Mbps download speeds
Related focus areas
Explore the topics we’re working on related to broadband.

Infrastructure

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Local governments own approximately 60 percent of the public infrastructure that supports our economy and quality of life. Through advocacy and support, we help them build a stronger Canada.

Rural, northern and remote

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Rural, northern and remote communities are integral to Canada’s economy and quality of life. With our advocacy and support, their local governments are building a brighter future.
© 2021 Federation of Canadian Municipalities