Canada is looking for ways to reduce its reliance on Starlink, according to Prime Minister Mark Carney. The move is part of a broader effort to give Canada more control over the technology it depends on, particularly for national security.
In an interview with The New York Times, Carney acknowledged that other satellite networks do not yet match Starlink’s capabilities and resilience. He suggested that working with partners in Europe and potentially South Korea could help Canada build enough scale to reduce its dependence on the SpaceX system, particularly for defence communications. (via CultMTL)
Canada already has a domestic project underway. Ottawa has committed a $2.14-billion loan to Telesat Lightspeed, a planned low Earth orbit satellite network. The federal government has also secured capacity on Lightspeed for internet providers serving rural and remote areas. In Nunavut, Northwestel plans to use that capacity to connect communities across the territory.
Despite Carney’s comments, that does not mean Canadians will be asked to give up the satellite internet service. Anyone can sign up for Starlink directly, but the comments are more directed to decisions governments make when they buy satellite service for their own operations or use public money to connect remote communities.
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Quebec signed an agreement with SpaceX to bring Starlink to hard-to-reach households, covering equipment costs and part of the monthly bill for eligible customers.
Ontario planned a $100 million Starlink program for up to 15,000 underserved homes and businesses, but cancelled the partnership before it launched amid a tariff dispute earlier this year between Ontario Premier Doug Ford and U.S. President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.
Similarly, Alberta offers eligible rural households a rebate toward satellite equipment. Nova Scotia has offered a rebate of up to $1,000 for setup costs through qualified satellite providers.
What happens next will depend on whether Canada can turn its plans into a reliable alternative. Telesat Lightspeed is expected to begin serving remote communities in the coming years, while Ottawa explores other options with international partners. Until those networks are ready, governments will still need to decide where Starlink remains the most practical way to keep people and essential services connected.
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