The Connecting Families Initiative (CFI) is a Government of Canada program that provides more affordable Internet services to eligible Canadians.
This initiative is overseen by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) while Internet Service Providers (ISP) across Canada cover the costs of the discounted plans.
If you have received a letter of invitation indicating your eligibility to participate in the program we encourage you to sign-up for the CFI program.
To participate in the CFI program, recipients of this letter of invitation will need to enter: your code found in the top right corner of the letter, your full name and address, in the Connecting Families Registration Portal.
Connecting Families Registration Portal
Canadians eligible for the program can request a low-cost computer while supplies last, for more information you can sign-up in the Connecting Families Registration Portal.
On this page
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for the CFI program, you must have received a letter from the Government of Canada or Service Canada inviting you to participate in this initiative.
Who receives a letter?
Eligible Canadians include:
- Families that receive the maximum amount of Canada Child Benefit
- Seniors that receive maximum amount of the Guaranteed Income Supplement
What is in this letter?
This is a letter of invitation indicating your eligibility to participate in Connecting Families Initiative (CFI) program. By participating in this program you will be offered two low-cost Internet plans to choose from, through participating Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in your region. This letter is in a Service Canada or Government of Canada envelope.
You can verify some important information on your letter of invitation. Is the following information present:
- Government of Canada logo
- home address
Note: You will need to enter this addressFootnote * to sign-up for the CFI program in the Connecting Families Registration Portal. - date
Note: This date may be as early as November 2023, this is accurate and will not affect your eligibility if you receive this letter after November 2023. - your code
Note: This is your unique code and will be 8 digits. You will be prompted to enter this code to sign-up for the program in the Connecting Families Registration Portal. - subject line "Connecting Families Initiative"
I received a letter, now what do I do?
If you have your code and the home address listed on your letter, you can sign-up in the portal below to learn which ISPs provide Internet services under the Connecting Families Initiative (CFI) in your region and discuss the available plans.
Why didn't I nor my family receive a letter?
Does your family receive the maximum amount of the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)? Check with the Canada Child Benefit Calculator.
Are you a senior receiving the maximum amount of the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or a single senior with an income under the Old Age Security (OAS) program of less than $4,000 or a senior in a couple with a combined income under the OAS program of less than $8,000? Check the Guaranteed Income Supplement Estimator.
If you answered yes to either of the questions above, you could be eligible but you may not have received your letter for either of these reasons:
- Have you recently moved?
- Did you accidentally throw out your letter?
Eligibility is evaluated annually by the Government of Canada.
What are the low-cost plans available?
Receiving a letter means that you and/or your family have access to lower cost high-speed Internet packages:
Plan 1
$10 per month (plus tax) which includes:
- Up to 10 megabytes/second (Mbps) download speed
- 1 megabytes/second (Mbps) upload speed
- 100 GB of data.
Plan 2
$20 per month (plus tax) which includes:
- Up to 50 megabytes/second (Mbps) download speed
- 10 megabytes/second (Mbps) upload speed
- 200 GB of data
- Download speed:
- how fast you receive information over the internet.
- Upload speed:
- how fast you send information over the internet.
Who are the participating Internet Service Providers?
The following Internet service providers 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)
- Hay Communications
- Mornington
- NorthwestTel
- Novus Entertainment Inc.
- Quadro
- Rogers
- Rural Net
- SaskTel
- Shaw
- Tbaytel
- TELUS
- Vidéotron
- Westman Media Cooperative Limited
Questions?
Check out our Frequently asked questions below or contact the Connecting Families Initiative team.
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 program 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.
How do households access this offer?
Eligible households must receive a letter from the Government of Canada. This letter will contain an access code that they will need in order to sign up on the Connecting Families Registration Portal. They can also contact the Connecting Families Initiative team for support in registering for the Initiative.
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.
What happens if I lose my letter?
Individuals will need their access code to participate in the initiative. Individuals are encouraged to take a photo of the letter and keep it and the code in a safe place. If an individual has lost their letter or code, they should contact the Connecting Families Initiative team.
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 I be able to switch providers during the Initiative?
Once individuals sign up for the Connecting Families Initiative, they must stay with the Internet Service Provider (ISP) they chose. Changing providers is not allowed for the duration of the Initiative. Switching providers is only permitted if you move to a location that is not served by your current ISP.
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.