Feds rollout $20 a month internet for low-income families and seniors

The federal government is providing low-income families and seniors with broadband services at reduced rates. On Monday it unveiled the second leg of its Connecting Families Initiative. The first part of the initiative was launched in 2018. The government has reached an agreement with 14 ISPs to provide high-speed internet access for $20 a month. The first internet plan of $10 a month, introduced four years ago, is also available. It provides service at slower speeds and reduced data usage. High-speed is defined as download speeds of 50 Megabits per second (Mbps) and upload of 10 Mbps. If a locality cannot support those speeds, the program mandates that the highest speeds available in a given region are offered. Eligibility for the program has been expanded from families receiving the maximum Canada Child Benefit to include seniors who receive the maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement. Social activists had campaigned to expand the program ever since it was announced. “Being connected is important to maintain professional, social, economic and cultural networks within the digital economy. However, many low-income Canadians are still facing barriers that prevent their full participation in the economy. By working closely with internet service providers across the country, we are increasing accessibility and providing all Canadians with affordable and reliable internet,” Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne said in a news release. In the same release, his colleague Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, is quoted as saying, “Being connected to the internet in this day and age is no longer a luxury. Simply put, it’s a necessity. That’s why this initiative is so important: it’s helping Canadians get connected to high-speed internet for $20 a month.” The 14 telecoms participating in the program are Access Communications Co-operative in Saskatchewan, BCE Inc., Coopérative de câblodistribution de l’arrière-pays, Cogeco Inc., Hay Communications, Mornington Communications Co-operative Ltd. of the GTA, Novus Entertainment Inc. of Vancouver, Rogers Communications Inc., Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp , Shaw Communications Inc., TbayTel, Telus Corp., Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron and Westman Communications Group of Brandon, Manitoba.

Feds rollout $20 a month internet for low-income families and seniors

Brief | April 4, 2022

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Feds rollout $20 a month internet for low-income families and seniors

Brief | April 4, 2022

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