Ottawa, Canada – More than half of Canada’s provincial and territorial governments are now using Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk, for critical infrastructure, including emergency communications in remote areas. However, growing political tensions and concerns over foreign influence have raised serious questions about Canada’s dependence on the U.S.-based company.
Dwayne Winseck, a professor of journalism and communications at Carleton University, has warned that relying on Starlink places Canadian sovereignty at risk—especially with Musk serving as a key advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, who has made controversial statements about annexing Canada.
“Governments must do the maximum possible to untangle themselves from Starlink,” Winseck said. “That includes cutting contracts and accelerating Canadian alternatives.”
Starlink Contracts Across Canada
From British Columbia’s wildfire response and ambulance services to Newfoundland and Labrador’s Crown energy corporation, many provinces depend on Starlink for reliable service in hard-to-reach areas. Several territories, including Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, also use Starlink for emergency or backup communication.
However, some governments are now reevaluating their agreements. Officials in Manitoba and Nunavut confirmed they are monitoring the situation and exploring other options. The Northwest Territories emphasized its commitment to supporting Canada’s economic resilience and sovereignty by looking for alternatives.
A Threat to National Control?
In 2023, around 300,000 Canadian homes relied on Starlink for internet access—mostly in remote regions with limited connectivity. That number is now estimated to be closer to 500,000, according to the Global Media and Internet Concentration Project.
Experts fear that Musk’s personal influence over the service could pose risks. Recently, Musk reposted a message suggesting Canada’s access to Starlink could be shut off in protest against British Columbia’s exclusion of Tesla from energy rebate programs.
Indigenous Concerns and Local Alternatives
Jesse Fiddler, director at KNet, an Indigenous-owned telecom company, echoed similar concerns. He questioned how much control one private company should have over Canada’s internet and emphasized the need for community-owned infrastructure.
“We have the ability and the expertise in Canada. We should be building our own economy, not outsourcing it,” Fiddler said.
The Ontario government recently cancelled a Starlink contract that would have delivered internet to 15,000 rural homes, citing economic and trade tensions with the U.S.
The Path Forward
While Starlink currently leads in satellite internet speed and reach, competitors like Telesat’s Lightspeed (a Canadian project launching soon) and Eutelsat in Europe are developing alternatives. Winseck remains hopeful that growing awareness of these risks will push Canada toward stronger homegrown innovation.
“This should be a wake-up call,” he said. “Now is the time to invest in Canadian tech for Canadian needs.”
