Connectivity and partnerships

Find out about the initiatives taken to ensure Indigenous communities have access to reliable high-speed Internet.

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The plan to increase connectivity

Reliable high-speed internet is an essential tool for all Canadians, including Indigenous peoples. As more businesses and government services move online, it is imperative that Indigenous communities have access to rapid and reliable high-speed internet. Increased internet speeds:

In 2019, the Government of Canada set a national connectivity target for Canadian homes and businesses to have access to internet at speeds of at least 50/10 Mbps:

To meet this commitment, Budget 2019 announced up to $6 billion in rural broadband over the next 10 years, including new investments in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites and the introduction of the Universal Broadband Fund.

The government’s plan to ensure all Canadian households have access to high speed, affordable and reliable broadband by 2030 is outlined in Canada’s Connectivity Strategy.

For many Canadians residing in urban centres, access to rapid and reliable internet is already a reality. However many rural and remote regions of Canada remain underserved and lack the connectivity infrastructure needed to make high-quality fixed broadband services available to households and businesses at speeds similar to those in urban areas. This is the case for many First Nations communities.

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is working with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, along with provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous and corporate leaders to ensure that First Nations are included in rural broadband infrastructure networks and have the opportunity to obtain broadband internet access at speeds comparable to other Canadians.

First Nations Infrastructure Fund

Broadband connectivity projects on reserves are eligible to receive funding under ISC’s First Nations Infrastructure Fund (FNIF). FNIF provides funding to improve the quality of life and the environment for First Nations communities by addressing the long standing infrastructure gaps on reserves in 8 project categories, including connectivity.

In order to be eligible to receive funding from FNIF, connectivity projects must align with at least one of the following:

The following costs are outside of the FNIF mandate for funding:

For more information about the fund:

eHealth

ISC's eHealth provides digital health tools in support of virtual care in First Nations and Inuit communities. The connectivity element of ISC eHealth equips all on-reserve health facilities with broadband services including:

For more information about eHealth:

Other initiatives and programs

ISED Universal Broadband Fund
Currently under development, The Universal Broadband fund will support broadband project across the country, particularly in rural and remote communities.

CRTC Broadband Fund
Apply to the $750 million fund to provide fixed and mobile wireless broadband Internet access services. Deadlines vary.

Canada Infrastructure Bank
Access $1 billion in innovative loans and equity committed in Budget 2019 and partner with the Canada Infrastructure Bank for new broadband infrastructure.

Broadband projects for rural and northern communities
Learn more about the Investing in Canada Plan: Rural and Northern Communities Infrastructure.

Accelerated Investment Incentive
The Accelerated Investment Incentive is supporting new private sector investments in rural high-speed internet.

Mapping broadband connectivity

ISC is working closely with other federal departments and organizations to support the creation of national mapping tools that illustrate the availability of broadband internet services to Canadians across the country.

To see these interactive tools:

Related links

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