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Public Policy and Government Affairs
Learn how policy and regulation impacts internet availability and the quality of our networks across Canada.
At issue: In 2024, the CRTC opened high speed internet competition by mandating fibre wholesale access. Unfortunately, some carriers, and even some government officials are opposed to the regime, in particular allowing carriers like TELUS to offer fibre internet using the wholesale access mandate. The CRTC is expected to make its final ruling imminently, though timing has not been confirmed.
What’s at stake: If the CRTC decides to prevent TELUS from offering fibre internet using the wholesale access mandate, competition and choice will be dramatically reduced in Ontario and Quebec. Canadians have been clear: they want more choice and better prices—and more competition is how they expect to get it.
Canadians are in support of creating more competition among internet providers, with cost savings and increased choice seen as the greatest impacts.
Some of the ways we advocate
Critical network infrastructure
Leveraging the CRTC’s wholesale wireline mandate, TELUS has been signing up customers daily in Ontario and Quebec markets. TELUS is offering not just affordable Internet, but innovative bundles that integrate mobility, entertainment, home automation, security, health services and much more.
Despite claims to increase competition in the telecom sector, some members of the previous administration’s federal cabinet issued an order asking the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to reconsider its decision allowing carriers like TELUS to offer fibre Internet services to consumers in Ontario and Quebec. Additionally, some carriers are petitioning the government to reverse the CRTC’s decision. A reversal of CRTC’s decision puts this progress at risk, creating uncertainty for consumers and ultimately - less choice.
Both the CRTC and the current government are faced with the question: do you want more competition for high speed internet?
A decision is expected in the summer of 2025.
Driving innovation through investment
Unlocking the power of new technologies that can improve our quality of life and deliver economic, social and environmental benefits is dependent on having the most advanced, resilient and reliable networks.
As Canada’s connectivity leader with over $332 billion invested from 2000 through to 2028 in network infrastructure, operations, and spectrum across Canada, TELUS’ network investments enable innovation and the development of game changing solutions such as early forest fire detection and smart farming, made possible through 5G technology.
Giving Canadians more choice
Ensuring affordable telecommunications services for all Canadians is a key priority in today's economic climate. The good news is that in spite of historic inflation and increased living costs, wireless prices have been declining, providing consumers with more choices.
According to Statistics Canada, while the cost of other household goods has surged, wireless prices have never been lower. This trend is supported by ongoing investments in network infrastructure, which aim to deliver high-quality, reliable services even as prices continue to decrease. The commitment to affordability and accessibility in the telecom industry remains strong, benefiting Canadians across the country.
See our analysis of recent Statistics Canada surveys
here
.
The productivity challenge in Canada
Canada's productivity growth has been lagging behind other developed nations, with labour productivity averaging just 1.1% per year over the past decade, according to the Conference Board of Canada.
Addressing Canada's productivity crisis requires a multifaceted approach, and telecommunications play a pivotal role in this effort; the industry continues to invest domestically in areas like infrastructure and facilities, particularly at a time when prices are declining substantially.
Addressing Canada's productivity crisis requires a multifaceted approach, and telecommunications play a pivotal role in this effort; the industry continues to invest domestically in areas like infrastructure and facilities, particularly at a time when prices are declining substantially.
By leveraging TELUS’s advanced telecommunications solutions, Canada can overcome its productivity challenges and build a more prosperous future.
Protecting critical infrastructure for Canadians
Copper theft poses a significant threat to the reliability and resiliency of Canada's telecommunications infrastructure, public safety, and economic stability. The impacts range from compromised emergency services to disrupted business operations, with the cost of repairs far exceeding the value of the stolen copper.
The increase in theft incidents, coupled with the inadequacy of current deterrence measures, calls for immediate and coordinated action. Moving forward, it is crucial that we look at imposing stricter penalties for offenders and foster stronger collaboration between industry stakeholders and all levels of government.
By working together, we can enhance the protection of our critical infrastructure, ensure the resilience of our telecommunications networks, and safeguard the services that Canadians rely on every day.
Connectivity for rural and Indigenous communities
With limited access to healthcare, education and government services, reliable internet connectivity is essential to bridge the gap for Canadians living in rural, remote and Indigenous communities. To support thriving rural economies, all Canadians need access to high-speed internet in order to participate fully in our digital economy, and connect to online job opportunities, e-commerce and remote work and education.
Connectivity is a crucial tool in reconciliation, helping to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and supporting self-determination for Indigenous peoples.
Digital policy is climate policy
Mitigating climate change requires advanced technology solutions and connectivity. This includes both wireless technologies like 5G, and a transformative rural broadband investment to connect the remaining parts of Canada to high speed internet – so that benefits like remote work, which decreases emissions from transportation, for example, can be more broadly adopted. Research shows that broadband internet and digital technologies can reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by 15 per cent to 20 per cent over current levels.
The robust broadband infrastructure in Canada lays a foundation for a greener and more sustainable future.
Wholesale internet review
Canadians deserve more Internet Choice
Investing in Canadian Digital Infrastructure
The idea that investment and competition can’t coexist is false. TELUS has committed $70 billion to Canadian infrastructure investment through 2029, and is able to drive some of these investments precisely because the wholesale mandate unlocks new markets for TELUS. This includes $24 billion in Ontario and $9 billion in Quebec, creating thousands of local jobs and supporting community development. Over the past 24 years, TELUS has invested $276 billion in Canadian network infrastructure, operations, and spectrum, demonstrating a long-term commitment to domestic growth. In contrast, some competitors have reduced Canadian capital expenditure and dividend payments, redirecting focus to international markets. TELUS's investment strategy prioritizes Canada's digital future, expanding services like PureFibre to connect over Bringing TELUS PureFibre connectivity to to more millions of homes and businesses across B.C., Alberta, Quebec and Ontario, driving job creation, accelerating innovation and fueling productivity.
Fostering Competition and Consumer Choice
TELUS's entry as a new competitor in Ontario and Quebec's high speed internet market is dismantling a longstanding duopoly, introducing genuine competition that drives innovation and improves service quality. Despite being a new entrant with less than 4% market share in these provinces, TELUS is already making a significant impact.
Recent polling shows 73% of Canadians believe increased competition among internet service providers will lower prices. This supports the Competition Bureau's analysis that new market entrants like TELUS have the potential to significantly benefit consumers by increasing competition and putting downward pressure on prices. The CRTC has acknowledged that where an incumbent operates out-of-territory, it acts as a new competitor with the potential to disrupt the status quo, benefiting consumers through increased choice and competitive pricing.
Recent polling shows 73% of Canadians believe increased competition among internet service providers will lower prices. This supports the Competition Bureau's analysis that new market entrants like TELUS have the potential to significantly benefit consumers by increasing competition and putting downward pressure on prices. The CRTC has acknowledged that where an incumbent operates out-of-territory, it acts as a new competitor with the potential to disrupt the status quo, benefiting consumers through increased choice and competitive pricing.
Strategic Infrastructure Development for Maximum Impact
TELUS is taking a strategic approach to infrastructure development, focusing on expanding services where they're needed most while leveraging existing networks to provide immediate benefits to consumers. In some markets, TELUS utilizes network sharing and resale competition through existing infrastructure, providing the most efficient path to increased consumer choice. This strategy delivers better value for Canadians while avoiding the environmental and economic waste of redundant infrastructure. The Competition Bureau has confirmed that this approach creates immediate market competition, benefiting consumers through increased choice and competitive pricing. By prioritizing investment in underserved areas rather than duplicating infrastructure in well-served urban centers, TELUS ensures that its capital expenditure has the maximum positive impact on Canadian connectivity.
Breaking Down Provincial Barriers for a Stronger Canada
TELUS's expansion into new provinces is breaking down interprovincial trade barriers in the telecommunications space, creating a truly national competitive landscape. This cross-country competition is driving innovation, improving service quality, and keeping prices affordable across all provinces. The CRTC's framework facilitates this breakdown of interprovincial barriers, fostering a unified Canadian telecommunications market. By allowing companies to offer broadband services in new regions, Canada is moving towards a more integrated and competitive national telecommunications ecosystem, benefiting consumers and businesses alike.
Background:
In 2024, the Trudeau government asked the CRTC to reverse its interim framework for FTTP internet access – despite growing public demand for more internet choice, and despite TELUS’ entrance into Ontario and Quebec markets offering more competition with internet plans of speeds up to 1.5 Gbps.
Even with this political pressure, the CRTC held firm to its decision to maintain its interim framework, stating:
“With respect to the current proceeding on the Temporary Decision, the evidence on the public record shows that consumer benefits brought about by Large Incumbent access to the Temporary Service outweighed any impact that access had on investment during the short time the Temporary Service was in effect. Accordingly, the Commission finds that the public interest would not be advanced by changing the Temporary Decision.”
While this reaffirmed commitment marked a key step toward greater internet competition in Canada, the CRTC has yet to issue its final ruling on the permanent framework, originally released in August 2024.
Here is the high level timeline of events:
Coming soon: Timing unconfirmed
- CRTC will announce whether or not it will uphold or amend its final framework on FTTP access
February 2025
- CRTC decides to uphold its interim framework ruling allowing access to FTTP infrastructure in Ontario and Quebec
November 2024
- Trudeau’s government requests the CRTC to reconsider aspects of its temporary decision
October 2024
- CRTC sets interim wholesale rates for FTTP access
August 2024
- CRTC announces its final framework for FTTP access
May 2024
- TELUS enters the Ontario and Quebec markets, utilizing the CRTC’s interim framework to offer high-speed internet services
November 2023
- CRTC announces a temporary framework requiring Bell Canada and TELUS to provide aggregated wholesale FTTP access in Ontario and Quebec
Fast Facts
- Between2017 and 2022, fibre availability almost doubled – from 35 per cent of households in 2017 to nearly 64 per cent of households in 2022. Fibre adoption is up 16.4 percentage points and average residential download speeds have quintupled during the same period;
- Many communities — including large cities, smaller communities and rural areas — still lack access to FTTP networks;
- The higher cost of building and maintaining networks in Alberta and British Columbia is due to challenging topography, lower population density, higher labour costs and risk of natural disasters;
- Escalating labour costs in rural areas undermine the business case for network deployment;
- Labour cost pressures are particularly acute in Alberta and British Columbia, where labour rates are 12 per cent higher than in Ontario and Quebec, and approximately 60 per cent of the cost of building networks is labour costs (Our World in Data 2023) (Labor share of gross domestic product (GDP 2020); and
- According to the CRTC’sinterimdecision, the field of wholesale-based competitors in Ontario and Quebec has become less competitive, while competition has increased in Western and Atlantic Canada. At the end of 2022, wholesale-based competitors served 25 per cent fewer subscribers in Ontario and Quebec than they did two years prior. Meanwhile, in Western Canada, subscribers to services provided by wholesale-based competitors have increased by 17 per cent since 2020, while Atlantic Canada saw a 44 per cent increase in subscribers(CRTC, 2023).
Investment and innovation
Network investments support economic growth
The telecommunications industry is a significant driver of Canada’s economic growth – the networks they build are a core, foundational part of Canada's overall infrastructure and key for economic and social development.
Through their network investments and job generation, telcos play a crucial role in fostering innovation that improves efficiency across industry sectors, creates opportunities throughout the supply chain and gives Canada its technological edge in a rapidly evolving digital world.
Rural and Indigenous connectivity
Connectivity for rural, remote and Indigenous communities
TELUS remains committed to expanding broadband access to bridge the digital divide, and ensure that all Canadians benefit from reliable connectivity. Access to reliable high-speed internet is essential for Canadians located all across our vast country to participate fully in the digital economy.
Social and environmental impact
The benefits of network investments
Broadband internet and 5G has revolutionized digital access across the country, ensuring Canadians are connected to high-speed internet means they can benefit from virtual healthcare, online education, public services and remote work.
It is also capable of advancing climate solutions to accelerate sustainability and support Canada’s carbon emissions reduction efforts.
These benefits are a direct result of a robust network infrastructure and its continued reliability. To achieve this and support Canada’s climate change mitigation, we need smart digital policy to be embedded with Canada’s climate action plan.
These benefits are a direct result of a robust network infrastructure and its continued reliability. To achieve this and support Canada’s climate change mitigation, we need smart digital policy to be embedded with Canada’s climate action plan.
Affordability
Giving Canadians more choice
At TELUS, we are committed to ensuring that all Canadians have access to affordable telecommunications services. Despite rising inflation and living costs, we have successfully lowered wireless prices, providing consumers with more choices. Our ongoing investments in network infrastructure ensure high-quality and reliable services.
Productivity
Boosting Canada's economy: A productivity perspective
Canada is in a productivity emergency. Canada’s productivity performance has been dismal. For comparison, American labour productivity growth was 160 percent faster than Canada’s from 2002 to 2020—and America’s growth in that period was actually low in historical terms.
(ITIF, 2024)
Productivity, defined as the efficiency with which goods and services are produced, is a critical factor in determining a country's economic health and competitiveness. According to Statistics Canada, labor productivity fell by 1.8% in 2023, marking the third consecutive year of decline. Low productivity growth can lead to slower economic growth, reduced competitiveness, and lower standards of living. That said, there are industries in Canada which are considered ‘high-productivity’ and significantly contribute to Canada’s economy, namely: telecommunications, finance and manufacturing.
Copper Theft
Canadians deserve reliable internet infrastructure
Network resilience is paramount in today's interconnected world, where Canadians rely on robust telecommunications infrastructure for everything from emergency services to daily business operations. At TELUS, we're committed to building and maintaining a resilient network that can withstand various challenges and continue to provide essential services even in the face of adversity.
However, one of the most pressing threats to our network's resilience is the escalating issue of copper theft. This critical problem demands urgent attention from policymakers, industry leaders, and the public alike. By understanding the full extent of this issue and its impact on network resilience, we can work collectively towards implementing effective policies and measures to protect our vital telecommunications infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted service for all Canadians.
Connectivity creates opportunities for economic transformation
TELUS and government partners provide access to education, virtual and the digital economy, making opportunities accessible for all Canadians, regardless of where they live and work.
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