The Connecting Families Initiative (CFI) is a Government of Canada program that offers discounted Internet services to eligible Canadians. Those who qualify can also request a low-cost digital device, while supplies last.
This initiative is administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), while Internet Service Providers (ISPs) across Canada voluntarily participate in the initiative.
Eligibility
Learn more about who is eligible.
Invitation letter
See what's included in the invitation letter and what to do if you lose it.
Low-cost plans
Explore the low-cost plans and devices offered to those eligible.
If you have received an invitation letter confirming your eligibility to participate in the CFI, we encourage you to sign-up for discounted Internet services. Only those who receive a letter can take part in the initiative.
To join the CFI, you must sign up in the Connecting Families registration portal.
Review the registration steps
- Go to the portal.
- Confirm your identity by entering:
- The activation code found in the top right corner of the letter;
- Your full name; and,
- Your addressFootnote * in the letter.
- Confirm the information is correct and start the enrollment process.
- Near the end of the process, a list of participating Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will appear if wired Internet service is offered by participating ISPs in your region.
- Select an ISP from the list and contact them to sign up for one of the CFI low-cost plans.
- Take a photo of your letter and your code and store them in a safe place, in case you lose the letter.
Connecting Families Registration Portal
Internet Service Providers
The following are Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are voluntarily participating in the Connecting Families Initiative, offering discounted Internet to eligible seniors and families:
- Access Communications Co-operative Limited
- Beanfield Technologies Inc.
- Bell Canada (including Bell Aliant and Bell MTS)
- Cogeco
- Coopérative de câblodistribution de l'arrière-pays (CCAP)
- CSUR Coop d'économie participative
- Hay Communications
- Mornington
- NorthwestTel
- Novus Entertainment Inc.
- Quadro
- Rogers
- Rural Net
- SaskTel
- Shaw
- Tbaytel
- TELUS
- Vidéotron
- Westman Media Cooperative Limited
Frequently asked questions
What is the Connecting Families Initiative?
In November 2018, the Government of Canada launched the Connecting Families Initiative to help bridge the digital divide by ensuring more Canadian families can access home Internet. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) participate voluntarily in this initiative, without government subsidy, to offer $10/month home Internet packages with at least 10 Mbps download speed and 100 GB of data usage.
The second phase of the Connecting Families Initiative launched on April 1, 2022. Connecting Families 2.0 expanded eligibility for the initiative and meets the national target of 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speeds. It also includes a minimum of 200 GB of data usage for $20 a month. The new phase broadened eligibility beyond low-income families to include low-income seniors.
Can households qualify for this initiative if they haven't received a letter?
No. Households must have received a letter from the Government of Canada with an access code in order to sign up for the initiative. Recipients of a letter have been evaluated on an annual basis of their eligibility based on household income and their CCB or GIS benefits.
How can I sign up if I do not currently have home Internet access?
Households that don't currently have Internet at home or need help signing up can visit a local library or community centre that offers public Internet access. They can contact the Connecting Families Initiative team for support in registering for the initiative.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) has also partnered with Computers for Success Canada (CFSC), the program's not-for-profit partner, to provide additional support for eligible households.
The CFSC's Connecting Families call centre is available to provide technical assistance for the Connecting Families Registration Portal, through the YWCA Vancouver, and can be reached at 1-833-206-0599.
Who is paying for this?
The Connecting Families Initiative (CFI) is overseen by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) while Internet Service Providers (ISP) across Canada cover the costs of the discounted plans.
I am a low-income Canadian. Should I call my local Internet Service Provider (ISP) to register for this initiative?
No. If you received a letter from the Government of Canada, please visit the Connecting Families Registration Portal, where you can access the information needed to connect with a participating ISP in your area. In order to register on the portal, you will need to provide:
- your access code
- full name
- address
I am currently in a contract with my existing Internet Service Provider (ISP). Can I still join this initiative? Will I have to pay a cancellation fee or early termination fee?
If you receive a letter from the Government of Canada with an access code, you are eligible to join the initiative. There are many participating ISPs across Canada, and you will see which ones offer service in your area. Once you've registered on the Connecting Families Registration Portal and chosen an ISP to work with, that ISP will help you access the discounted Internet service. If you are currently on a contract with your ISP or received a promotional offer, you may be required to pay the remaining value of that offer or contract.
Will my Internet Service Provider (ISP) have access to more of my personal information than they would with a regular Internet service contract?
No. ISPs are not responsible for determining eligibility and will not have access to any additional personal information than they would with a regular Internet service contract. The protection of customers' privacy is very important to the Government of Canada and the ISPs participating in the initiative. If you decide to participate in the initiative, you will need to provide your access code, address and a piece of valid ID to your ISP.
How is personal information safeguarded?
Extensive efforts were made to develop a secure process that adheres to privacy laws for the Connecting Families Initiative, so the program office at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) does not receive any taxpayer information such as a list of names or addresses of the families who receive a letter.
Internet Service Providers (ISP) are not responsible for determining eligibility and will not have access to any additional personal information than they would in a regular Internet service contract. The protection of customers' privacy is very important to the Government of Canada and the ISPs participating in the Initiative.
How do I protect my privacy online?
For tips on how you can be safe online, visit the Get Cyber Safe.
No participating Internet Service Providers are available in my area. Can I participate in the program?
The Connecting Families Initiative (CFI) is made possible through the voluntary participation of Internet Service Providers (ISP) across the country. There are currently 19 ISPs participating in the CFI who collectively serve nearly 85% of the Internet market in Canada. However, given that the initiative is volunteer based, this service may not yet be available in all regions. If you have followed the registration process and no participating ISPs are available in your area, be sure to keep your letter and your code as they cannot be reissued. We're working to engage more ISPs to join the initiative, especially in rural and remote areas. It is possible that ISPs serving your area could join the program in the future.
I work for an Internet Service Provider (ISP), how can the company participate in the initiative?
Internet Service Providers interested in participating in the Connecting Families Initiative can join by contacting the Call centre: 1-800-328-6189, (TTY) 1-866-694-8389.