Canadian consumers will receive clearer information about the true cost and expected performance of Internet services under new protections announced by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.
The CRTC announced the measures on September 10, saying Internet providers will be required to present information in a clearer and more consistent manner so customers can compare competing plans before signing up.
One of the most significant changes will require consumers to be shown the Internet speeds they can realistically expect during the busiest periods of the day rather than relying solely on advertised maximum or “up to” speeds.
Providers Must Disclose Expected Peak-Time Speeds
Internet speeds advertised by telecommunications companies can differ from the performance customers experience when networks are under heavier demand.
The CRTC’s new framework seeks to address that gap by requiring providers to disclose expected speeds during peak usage periods.
The regulator believes giving consumers a more realistic indication of network performance will allow households to determine whether a particular service can meet their requirements before entering into an agreement.
This could be particularly important for customers relying on their connections for remote work, streaming, gaming, video calls and other bandwidth-intensive activities.
Full Monthly Price After Promotions Must Be Clear
Internet providers will also have to make pricing after introductory promotions easier to identify.
Discounted plans can appear significantly cheaper during promotional periods before increasing when those offers expire.
Under the new rules, Canadians shopping for Internet services will be able to see the monthly amount they can expect to pay after promotional pricing ends.
The CRTC said the measure should reduce unexpected increases while making comparisons between providers more meaningful.
Changes Follow Amendments to Telecommunications Act
The latest protections follow changes to Canada’s Telecommunications Act that require the CRTC to introduce additional safeguards for consumers.
Before determining how the new requirements should work, the regulator conducted a public consultation focused specifically on making Internet shopping easier.
The process generated 77 submissions and included a public hearing.
Individuals, consumer organizations and telecommunications service providers were among those who contributed their views.
The CRTC said its final decision was developed from the evidence and arguments contained in that public record.
Regulator Wants Consumers to Compare Plans More Easily
A central objective of the changes is creating greater consistency in how Internet plans are presented.
When companies advertise prices, speeds and promotions differently, consumers can find it difficult to determine which offer provides the best value.
Standardizing important information could make side-by-side comparisons easier and reduce the likelihood that customers select services based on headline claims that do not reflect their eventual bills or everyday Internet performance.
CRTC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Vicky Eatrides said Canadians deserve straightforward information about both price and speed when choosing their Internet services.
She said the changes would help customers understand what they should expect and select plans that better match their individual needs.
CRTC Has Already Eliminated Additional Plan Fees
The latest decision forms part of a broader Canadian effort to strengthen protections for telecommunications customers.
In March 2026, the CRTC eliminated certain additional fees associated with Internet and cellphone plans as part of measures intended to make switching providers easier.
Further reforms followed in April, including changes aimed at improving notifications when contracts are approaching expiration.
Those measures were designed to ensure customers receive better information about their available options before agreements end.
Canadians Given More Freedom to Cancel or Switch
The regulator has also introduced measures intended to make managing telecommunications contracts more flexible.
Changes announced earlier in 2026 gave consumers greater flexibility when changing or canceling Internet and mobile phone plans.
Together, the measures seek to reduce obstacles that could discourage customers from moving between providers.
The CRTC believes easier switching can strengthen competition by forcing telecommunications companies to compete more aggressively on pricing, service quality and customer experience.
Consumer Protection Codes Face Broader Overhaul
Canada’s communications regulator says additional reforms are still being developed.
The CRTC is reviewing its existing Consumer Protection Codes, with the goal of simplifying the rules and potentially combining them into a single framework.
Such a change could make consumer rights easier to understand while establishing more consistent requirements across different telecommunications services.
The review forms part of the CRTC’s wider Consumer Protections Action Plan.
Competition and Affordability Remain Central to Reforms
Beyond improving transparency, the regulator says its broader objective is to encourage greater competition and affordability across Canada’s communications market.
Clearer information can allow consumers to make more informed choices, while easier cancellation and switching rules can increase pressure on providers to retain customers.
The CRTC, an independent quasi-judicial tribunal responsible for regulating Canada’s communications sector, said it would continue developing policies based on public consultations and evidence submitted by consumers, industry participants and other stakeholders.
Canadians Set to Gain Clearer Picture of What They Are Buying
The new Internet disclosure requirements represent a shift away from advertising that emphasizes maximum theoretical performance and temporary promotional prices.
Instead, Canadians will increasingly be able to evaluate plans using two figures that directly affect their everyday experience: the speeds they can expect when networks are busiest and the price they will actually pay after discounts disappear.
For consumers, the CRTC says that additional transparency should make it easier to compare competing offers, avoid unexpected bills and determine whether an Internet service genuinely delivers the performance and value they were promised.
