The internet is no longer optional, but the cost of staying connected keeps rising. Between monthly bills for home broadband, mobile data plans, and device upgrades, many Canadians are forced to make trade-offs between groceries, rent, and connectivity.
Where the Money Goes
Monthly fees: Canadian internet and mobile bills remain among the highest in the world.
Hidden costs: Modem rentals, installation fees, overage charges, and “promotional pricing” that vanishes after a year.
Device dependency: A fast connection is useless if you can’t afford a functional phone, tablet, or laptop.
Multiple connections: Families often pay for both home internet and mobile data, doubling the burden.
Canadian Context
Rural and remote areas: Often pay more for slower service — the “double penalty.”
Low-income households: Many rely on programs like Connecting Families, but coverage is limited.
Students: Internet bills stack on top of tuition and housing costs, making digital learning less accessible.
Small businesses: High costs are a barrier to competing in digital markets.
The Challenges
Affordability gap: Cost is the biggest reason households remain offline.
Market concentration: A few telecom giants dominate, limiting price competition.
Short-term programs: Subsidy initiatives help but don’t solve long-term inequity.
Policy lag: The CRTC sets benchmarks, but enforcement is weak.
The Opportunities
Lifeline-style programs: Long-term, government-backed affordable internet for low-income households.
Transparent pricing: Clear rules on hidden fees and post-promo hikes.
Competition and co-ops: Support municipal and cooperative networks to challenge big players.
Universal access goals: Treat affordable internet as a public necessity, not a luxury.
The Bigger Picture
The cost of connection is also the cost of participation. Without affordable access, people are cut off from jobs, healthcare, education, and even their own government. High bills don’t just affect wallets — they affect democracy.
The Question
Should Canada regulate internet pricing the way it does other essential services — or leave it to the market, even if that means many households remain offline?
The Cost of Connection
The Price of Being Online
The internet is no longer optional, but the cost of staying connected keeps rising. Between monthly bills for home broadband, mobile data plans, and device upgrades, many Canadians are forced to make trade-offs between groceries, rent, and connectivity.
Where the Money Goes
Canadian Context
The Challenges
The Opportunities
The Bigger Picture
The cost of connection is also the cost of participation. Without affordable access, people are cut off from jobs, healthcare, education, and even their own government. High bills don’t just affect wallets — they affect democracy.
The Question
Should Canada regulate internet pricing the way it does other essential services — or leave it to the market, even if that means many households remain offline?