OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 28, 2026 /CNW/ -- Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, announced the launch of Canada's first Telecom Competition Roadmap. This roadmap lays out a national approach to telecom competition to break down regional barriers and contribute to one Canadian economy.

In a more complex and unpredictable world, access to affordable and reliable Internet and mobile services is essential to Canadians' everyday life. To ensure this is possible, the Government of Canada is taking a comprehensive, national approach to encouraging cross-Canada competition in the Internet and mobile services sector.

Through the actions outlined in the roadmap, the government will drive meaningful outcomes for Canadians. These actions fall under three categories:

• More choices – To increase competition and give consumers more choices, the government is making it easier for competitors to access existing networks and expand their networks.
• Better prices – To help consumers take advantage of more affordable plans, the government will spotlight competitive offers, make it easier to shop around and switch providers, and eliminate unnecessary fees.
• High-quality networks – To make sure consumers benefit from high-quality services across the country, the government will help companies deploy the latest fibre-optic networks, experiment with new technologies, and strengthen access to reliable connectivity in northern, rural and Indigenous communities.

The government will monitor progress using indicators such as prices, switching behaviour, network speeds, coverage, and consumer complaints.

The Government of Canada knows that competition and investment are both crucial to building better networks across the country. Canada's Telecom Competition Roadmap will provide more choices for consumers and create stronger incentives for companies to invest in improvements to their networks. The roadmap will create more competition, more investment, more affordable choices and stronger networks to build one Canadian economy.

Quotes

"As the global economy rapidly evolves, Canadians are increasingly relying on telecommunications services in their everyday lives. By improving competition, empowering consumers and supporting the expansion of networks and services, this roadmap truly puts Canadians first, through actions that will improve choice, transparency, prices and networks. The government is taking action to build one strong Canadian economy where all Canadians  can participate fully."

– The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Quick facts

• Compared to 2019, wireless prices are down 49%. For example, a 60 gigabyte data plan that used to cost $105 in 2022 can now be purchased for $40 to $50.
• Parts of the roadmap are already under way and delivering benefits for consumers:
  • In August 2025, the government supported greater competition in the Internet market by requiring large players to give competitors access to their fibre networks.
  • In spring 2026, new pro-consumer rules were adopted to make it easier for Canadians to switch between plans and providers, taking advantage of better pricing.
• The roadmap also includes a range of actions to come, including establishing a "dig once" policy approach to nation-building projects, which will speed up deployment, and spectrum frequency rules to enhance wireless services; stepping up efforts to cut red tape and bring more competition to the market; and making further improvements to consumer protections through the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

Associated links

• Telecom Competition Roadmap
• Telecom competition roadmap: At a glance
• Your consumer rights for cell phones

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