Dandurand continues fight for wireless legislation

A Liberal backbencher is carrying on her fight for a private member’s bill that would broaden wireless and internet access to remote areas. Bill C-268 is currently facing second reading in the House of Commons. Marianne Dandurand (Compton–Stanstead, Que.) brought fellow parliamentarians and guests from her riding to a news conference Monday to lobby for her legislation. As chair of the Liberal party’s rural caucus, she has heard the call for improved connectivity from all sides of the chamber. “Across too many regions in Canada, cellular coverage remains incomplete or unreliable and the consequences are very real,” she told reporters in English. Dandurand said a lack of connectivity affects public safety and hurts businesses and consumers who need reliable cell phone and internet service. It is also a question of fairness, the MP stated. “In 2026, access to cellular service should not depend on where you live,” she asserted. Dandurand is currently sponsoring a petition to improve cell service in her district. The petition, which has been signed by 575 people so far, will remain online until May 15. The petition was initiated by the mayor of Martinville, Que., Michel-Henri Goyette. During his time at the podium, Goyette mentioned a car accident on Apr. 22 which cut a fibre line in his town. “The result? Martinville was completely cut off from the outside world for 16 hours–no internet, no landlines, no cell services, nothing,” he averred. Also warning about public safety was Andrée Gagnon, executive director of the women’s shelter Maison Séjour, who recently experienced a service outage in her area. “For almost three hours we were cut off from the world, cut off from emergency services, cut off from all communication outside our women’s shelter,” she reported. “So during those three hours when the power was out we held our breath hoping that no dangerous situation would occur.” Dandurand’s bill is the latest salvo in a fight for greater connectivity in rural and remote areas. Her colleague Jessica Fancy (South Shore-St. Margarets, N.S.) introduced a petition on the subject earlier this year. Conservative MP Jason Groleau (Beauce, Que.) has also presented a petition on the issue. That widespread call for action does not surprise Dominic Arsenault, treasurer of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers and owner of the IGA store in the town of Coaticook, Que. in Dandurand’s riding. He outlined the problems grocers have keeping their shelves stocked without access to reliable internet and cell service. “What is true for Coaticook is also true for the rest of Canada,” he told the news conference. Dandurand’s bill points out that the spectrum policy framework has not been updated since 2007. It calls on the CRTC to ensure the accuracy of coverage by Canadian telecom carriers. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) is directed to consult with the appropriate stakeholders about updating the framework. Canadian Senators Group member Réjean Aucoin of Nova Scotia has volunteered to shepherd the legislation through the Red Chamber once it passes the House of Commons. Dandurand, who earlier told The Wire Report she expects the bill to be adopted by Christmas, is ecstatic over the reception it has received from all parts of the House. “I have the support of the government as well,” she said at the news conference. “So opposition members have cosigned the bill so far and I have confirmation that it’s so important to all of the opposition. I consider I’m going to have all of the opposition with me.” ppark@thewirereport.ca

Dandurand continues fight for wireless legislation

Regulatory |
By Paul Park
|May 5, 2026

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Dandurand continues fight for wireless legislation

Regulatory | By Paul Park |May 5, 2026

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