Starlink has had a major influence in Canada, enabling high-speed digital access throughout the country, particularly in rural and far-off places. Yet, a recent trade dispute between Canada and the US threatened the satellite internet service. Ontario’s top Doug Ford recently announced plans to end the province’s$ 100 million agreement with Starlink before backtracking after the tariffs were halted.
Despite the withdrawal of the withdrawal, the event highlighted a pressing issue: What may happen if Starlink were entirely removed from Canada’s online landscape?
In many parts of Canada, Starlink has quickly grown to be a significant internet provider, especially in rural and remote areas where conventional broadband options are limited or inexistent. Around 2 million Canadians now rely on Starlink, according to Ookla’s Speedtest Intelligence , making up a sizable portion of online users in less densely populated areas.
The effect would be felt in Nunavut, where Starlink people account for 44 % of the Speedtest tests. Similarly, the Northwest Territories and Yukon see reliance rates of 27.8 % and 20.9 %, respectively. In these locations, Starlink is not just a convenience—it is the only viable option for high-speed online. Without it, residents may be left with slow and frequently uncertain alternatives, widening the modern separate between urban and rural Canada.
The Impact on Ontario and Another Counties
Given that Toronto and Ottawa are dominated by traditional broadband services, Ontario’s potential cancellation of its$ 100 million contract with Starlink would have had a limited impact on urban centers. However, in rural parts of the province, where the$ 100 million deal is targeted at, approximately 4.9 % of users already depend on Starlink, making its removal a serious concern for those living outside major metropolitan areas.
Also, British Columbia and Quebec, which have some of the lowest ratios of remote populations in Canada, did notice comparatively smaller results from Starlink’s withdrawal.
Limited Solutions
One of the important issues with Starlink’s possible withdrawal is the lack of viable options. While traditional satellite internet providers offer slower speeds and higher overhead, Canadian broadband growth projects are still under development and aren’t still able to reach the most rural areas properly.
Getting Starlink’s speed and reliability in these areas would be a long and expensive procedure, also with federal and provincial initiatives to improve remote internet access.