Canadians can switch to cheaper phone and internet plans for free starting this week

A new ban on certain fees for phone and internet plans in Canada will come into effect on Friday, making it easier for consumers to switch providers or change plans without incurring extra costs.

The changes to the Consumer Protections Action Plan were announced by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in March and are intended to make it easier for Canadians to access more affordable telecommunications services.

According to the new rules, telecommunications providers will no longer be permitted to charge activation, plan-change or cancellation fees for cellphone and internet services.

The CRTC said activation fees have ranged from roughly $30 to $80, creating a barrier for Canadians looking to take advantage of competitive offers.

Beginning Friday, Canadians will be able to switch plans or providers without worrying about added fees that could offset potential savings.

The new measure is a result of changes to the Telecommunications Act that came into force on Oct. 30, 2025, which required the CRTC to put new consumer protection measures in place.

As part of this work, the CRTC held a public consultation to see how service providers could offer Canadians more ways to make changes to their internet and cellphone plans. The consultation included input from consumers, advocacy groups and telecommunications providers.

“We are taking action to give Canadians more control over their internet and cellphone services,” CRTC chairperson and CEO Vicky Eatrides said in a news release in March.

“Today’s decision removes extra fees to activate, change or cancel a plan. 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.”

Canadian internet and cellphone bills are some of the most expensive in the G7. According to 2024 data from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Canadians pay the most out of the seven countries for ‘Level 7’ broadband services (defined as 900+ Mbps download speed) — the highest level available — at an average price of $113.11 per month.

The data also showed Canadians pay some of the highest mobile wireless rates in the G7, ranking first for Level 2 service (unlimited nationwide talk and text, 5+ GB of data) at $63.80 per month, second for Level 3 (with 20+ GB of data) at $65.40 per month, and third for Level 4 (50+ GB) and 5 (100+ GB) plans.

More recently, U.K.-based broadband comparison site Broadband Genie found Canada to be the most expensive country in North America for broadband prices, with an average cost of US$55.26 per month (roughly CAD$77).

That said, ISED’s data also showed that prices for both mobile wireless and broadband services declined across nearly all service tiers between 2020 and 2024.

And with the elimination of activation, plan-change and cancellation fees, consumers could see additional savings and greater flexibility when shopping for better telecom deals in the years ahead.

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