Switching or cancelling internet and cellphone plans is about to get easier after the Government of Canada announced that it’s eliminating fees.
Last week, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) shared that it’s removing fees that make it harder for Canadians to change or cancel internet and phone plans.
This initiative is a part of recent changes to the Telecommunications Act that require the regulatory agency to put new consumer protection measures in place.
Canada held a public consultation to understand how fees can prevent people from switching plans. The CRTC heard perspectives from individuals, consumer groups, and service providers.
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Based on the results, the agency decided to eliminate extra fees to activate, change, or cancel internet or phone plans. This will give consumers more flexibility to manage their plans and take advantage of better offers without worrying about surprise costs.
“We are taking action to give Canadians more control over their Internet and cellphone services,” stated CRTC CEO Vicky Eatrides. “This means that consumers can switch to a better deal without having to pay extra just to get the service that works best for them.”
As a part of this measure, the Commission created the Wireless and Internet Code to help phone and internet users in Canada understand their contracts, prevent bill shock from unexpected fees, and switch service providers.
So, when can you expect this measure to kick in? Canada is implementing this consumer protection against fees on June 12, 2026.
This isn’t the first time the CRTC has tackled cellphone plan fees for Canadians.
In 2024, the agency announced that it conducted a study analyzing information from Canadian cellphone companies. The commission found that Canadians pay “too much in roaming fees” — around $10 to $16 per day.
Bell, Rogers, and Telus had until Nov. 4, 2024, to provide the CRTC with information on how they plan to “respond to these concerns.”