Broadband Fund review
In 2023, the CRTC launched a review of the Broadband Fund to improve the speed and efficiency of the funding process, help advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, and increase Canadians’ access to high-speed Internet and cellphone services.
The CRTC is conducting the policy review in phases.
New policy for funding capital projects
In December 2024, the CRTC published the new policy for funding capital projects. The new policy introduced a number of changes to the funding program:
Improving speed and efficiency
The CRTC made changes to the application and evaluation processes, the evaluation criteria, and the funding process, including:
- removing and simplifying evaluation criteria
- reducing the amount of information that applicants must submit
- simplifying reporting processes to make reporting easier for funding recipients
Advancing reconciliation
The CRTC made changes to the Broadband Fund to better support Indigenous applicants, communities, and Indigenous-led projects, including:
- reducing barriers for Indigenous applicants
- requiring applicants to engage meaningfully with Indigenous communities
- requiring applicants to provide proof of consent from any Indigenous community where they plan to build infrastructure
- providing Indigenous funding recipients upfront funding of up to 15% of total approved funding (capped at $750,000) to help address financial barriers
- funding up to two years of technical training for local Indigenous staff to build skills and support Indigenous-owned networks
- exempting Indigenous funding recipients from the requirement to provide retail and wholesale open access to any funded transport infrastructure
- exempting Indigenous funding recipients from the 10% holdback for projects with approved funding of $5 million or less
Increasing access for all Canadians
The CRTC implemented new geographic models used to identify eligible areas and refined the types of projects that are eligible for funding. These improvements will allow applicants to target remaining underserved areas, with the goal to accelerate the connection of Canadians to high-speed Internet and cellphone services.
Next steps
On March 18, 2026, the CRTC launched Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2026-47, to develop an Indigenous stream under the Broadband Fund in collaboration with Indigenous groups and communities. The Commission will accept comments that it receives on or before September 18, 2026.
Later in 2026, the CRTC will publish a Telecom Regulatory Policy that will address the outstanding issues not included in the new policy for funding capital projects.
Related links
- Broadband Fund policy review – New policy for funding capital projects
- Consultation about the review of the Broadband Fund
- Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2023-89
- About the Broadband Fund
- Internet services for Canadians
- Measuring Broadband Canada project
- Frequently asked questions
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