Communications
Monitoring Report Communications Monitoring Report
2019 Year-End Monthly Prices for Internet, Mobile, Landline and TV services
On this page
- Overview
- Communication Services Pricing Trends 2016-2019
- Pricing: A Deeper Dive into Mobile and Internet Baskets
- Datasets Available on Open Data
- Methodology
i. Overview
This document reports on the monthly residential prices for communication services in Canada, as provided to the CRTC by Canadian telecommunications service providers (TSPs) via the Annual Communications Pricing Survey.
The CRTC collects and evaluates pricing across four service types:
- Internet services (3 service baskets)
- Mobile services (5 service baskets)
- Basic landline services (‘landline services’)
- Basic television services (‘basic TV services’)
For the Annual Communications Pricing Survey, TSPs submitted the lowest available price per service by service basket as of December 31, 2019, for 54 rural communities and 24 urban centres across the provinces and territories in Canada.
Updates to the 2019 data collection are as follows:
- In order to better track prices of Internet plans that reflect the evolution of Canadians consumption, a new Internet service basket that includes “100 Mbps download and 15 Mbps upload with 500GB of data” was introduced and the “5/1 Mbps, any data” basket was removed.
- In order to track the prices of heavier usage mobile data plans, a new mobile service basket that includes “10GB, unlimited voice minutes and unlimited SMS” basket was added.
- In order to track the prices of lower-cost, data-only wireless mobile plans, the “1GB, 450 minutes, 300 SMS" basket was modified to include “any minutes” and “any SMS”.
This year’s report focuses on the national, provincial/territorial, urban and rural trends for average prices and price ranges for 50/10 unlimited, 5GB mobile plans, landline services and basic TV services. It concludes with a deeper look into the average prices of Internet and mobile services, given their ever-increasing importance, in particular:
- 50/10Mbps unlimited data plan (the target minimum plan to be made available to all Canadians through programs such as the Broadband Fund).
- 1GB mobile plan with any minutes and any SMS (the plan mandated by the CRTC in the lower-cost data-only wireless plan decision).
- 5GB mobile plan with unlimited voice and SMS (reflective of consumer’s average monthly mobile data usageFootnote 1).
The data sets that the CRTC used to compile this report are available on Open Data, where users can also access additional data and analysis. See Datasets Available on Open Data section for more information.
How Canadians Are Using their Services and What They're Spending
Canadians are buying larger mobile data plans, consuming more data and subscribing to faster Internet speeds.
Almost 60% of mobile subscribers had a 5GB or larger mobile plan in 2019 (compared to 40% in 2018) and mobile consumers with a data plan used an average of 2.9 GB/month of data (a 16.0% increase from 2018).
58.0% of 2019 residential high-speed Internet subscriptions were for 50/10 Mbps plans or faster (compared to 49.5% in 2018); these subscribers downloaded, on average, 245GB of data per month, an increase of 26.9% compared to 2018.
ii. Communication Services Pricing Trends 2016-2019
In this report, ‘average combined price’ is used to illustrate trends in the communications services market as a whole.
The ‘average combined price’ is based on four services:
- 50/10 Mbps unlimited Internet (‘50/10 unlimited’),
- 5GB mobile plans with unlimited SMS and talk (‘5GB mobile plan’),
- basic landline, and
- basic TV services.
‘Average reported monthly price’ (‘average price’) is used for standalone baskets. The ‘average price’ for each service basket is calculated using the formula found in the Process for calculating averages section of the Methodology.
Average Combined Prices: National Trends
Based on year-end reported prices, the 2019 nationwide average combined price was $177/month. This represents an average annual decrease of -6.9% from 2016 and a decrease of $42.
2016 to 2019 changes in individual services used to determine the combined average price are as follows:
- Internet prices went down by $13 for an average annual decrease of 5.6%.
- Mobile prices went down by $29 for an average annual decrease of 14.3%.
- Basic landline prices went up by $2 for an average annual increase of 2.7%.
- Basic TV prices went down by $3 for an average annual decrease 4.1%.
| Service | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Difference in prices 2016 vs 2019 |
2016-2019 CAGR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50/10 Mbps, unlimited Internet plan | $82.05 | $81.08 | $78.71 | $69.10 | -$12.96 | -5.6% |
| Growth for 50/10Mbps | -- | -1.2% | -2.9% | -12.2% | -- | -- |
| 5GB, ∞min, ∞SMS mobile plan | $77.47 | $70.06 | $50.89 | $48.82 | -$28.65 | -14.3% |
| Growth for 5GB | -- | -9.6% | -27.4% | -4.1% | -- | -- |
| Basic landline services | $31.53 | $32.24 | $34.07 | $34.18 | +$2.65 | 2.7% |
| Growth for landline | -- | 2.3% | 5.7% | 0.3% | -- | -- |
| Basic TV services | $28.07 | $28.49 | $25.55 | $24.79 | -$3.28 | -4.1% |
| Growth for TV | -- | 1.5% | -10.3% | -3.0% | -- | -- |
| Total | $219.12 | $211.87 | $189.23 | $176.89 | -$42.23 | -6.9% |
| Growth total | -- | -3.3% | -10.7% | -6.5% | -- | -- |
Note: For trending purposes, when there is no reported price in a rural location, the CRTC used the corresponding reported urban price. (E.g., 50/10 Mbps, unlimited Internet service was not available in rural Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island or the North in 2016, therefore the CRTC used only urban prices).
Scroll
View data
Note: For trending purposes, when there is no reported price in a rural location, we used the corresponding reported urban price. (E.g. 50/10 Mbps, unlimited Internet service was not available in rural Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island or the North in 2016; therefore, only urban prices were used).
Average Combined Prices: Provincial and Territorial Trends
Figure 5.2 shows the average combined prices for Internet, mobile, basic landline telephone, and basic TV services by province and territory, between 2016 and 2019.
Average combined prices have trended down across all provinces and territories in that time period, with two exceptions: when comparing 2019 to 2018, the average combined price stayed the same in Alberta and increased by $15 per month (+7.9%) in Saskatchewan. This increase is most likely the result of unlimited 50/10 Mbps plans having been made available in rural Saskatchewan for the first time in 2019.
In 2019, the lowest combined average prices were in Quebec ($161) and Ontario ($169) (excluding the North, where 50/10 unlimited plans were not available). The highest combined average prices were in Saskatchewan ($202), Alberta and Nova Scotia (both $180). In comparison to 2016, 2019 average provincial combined prices decreased the most in Prince Edward Island (-$61; CAGR -9.3%) and British Columbia (‑$56; CAGR ‑8.9%). The combined price decreased the least in Saskatchewan (-$6; CAGR -1.0%), due to pricing increases in Internet and the highest reported 5GB mobile price.
Scroll
View data
Note: For trending purposes, when there is no reported price in a rural location, we used the corresponding reported urban price. (E.g., 50/10 Mbps, unlimited Internet service was not available in rural Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island or the North in 2016, so the urban price become the ‘average’ for the province/territory).
Average Combined Prices: Urban and Rural Trends
In 2019, the average combined price in rural communities tended to be higher than urban centres. Nationally, the average combined price was $178/month for rural communities and $175/month for urban centres, a difference of 1.8%. The gap between prices in urban centres and rural communities varied by region; detailed breakdowns are available on Open Data (see Datasets Available on Open Data).
Of the four individual services used to determine the combined average price, the largest urban-rural price difference was for the 50/10 Mbps unlimited data plan. However, at the national level, the differences between urban and rural average prices are narrowing.
Scroll
View data
When looking at the differences between provinces/territories and within provinces/territories (urban vs rural), there were some variations in the average combined prices. Most notably, these differences were in the North and British Columbia.
Overall, rural communities consistently had the highest average combined price. However, this trend was not observed in the North or British Columbia.Footnote 2 In northern rural communities, the average combined prices were about 14% lower than those in northern urban areas, mainly because satellite Internet access services – which are not usually available in urban areas – are generally offered at lower prices than their fixed counterparts.
In British Columbia, rural communities reported a more consistent average decrease year-over-year (2016-2019 CAGR -11.1%) than urban centres (2016-2019 CAGR -6.5%). In 2019, the average prices for 50/10 unlimited, 5GB mobile plans and landline services increased in urban centres and were higher than their rural counterparts. The average landline prices in British Columbia accounted for the largest difference between the urban and rural ($31 in rural v $36 in urban).
Scroll
View data
Note: The totals for the combined average reported prices in the North exclude 50/10 Mbps unlimited because unlimited 50/10 Mbps plans are not available in the North.
Broken down by communication service, the highest average prices in urban centres for landline was in Ontario ($38/month), basic TV in Saskatchewan ($31), and 5GB mobile plans in the North ($63) whereas the lowest average prices in urban centres were for 50/10 unlimited Internet in Quebec ($56/month).
Rural communities saw the opposite trend for highest versus lowest average prices. The lowest average prices were for landline in Saskatchewan ($28/month), basic TV in Prince Edward Island ($20) and 5GB mobile plans in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the North (both $45), whereas the highest average price was for 50/10 unlimited Internet in Saskatchewan ($96).
Price Ranges: National Trends
In contrast to the ‘average price’ and ‘combined average price’, the range of reported prices (‘price range’) for a particular service illustrates the full range of what is commercially available in any given region (excluding promotions, grandfathered plans, etc.). Average prices do not necessarily fall within the middle of each price range and therefore price range offers an additional metric to gauge pricing trends.
This section outlines the price ranges by province and territory for the communications services that are used to define the combined average price: 50/10 unlimited, 5GB mobile plans, basic landline, and basic TV. A high level overview is provided, followed by a closer look at the differences for the price ranges for each of the above services by province/territory.
High-level overview for 2016 to 2019
Historically, the price ranges for 50/10 unlimited Internet and 5GB mobile plans have fluctuated and have had the widest price ranges of all the communications services.
In 2016, 50/10 unlimited had the widest price range of all communication services with an $85 difference between the highest and lowest reported price, beating out the price range for 5GB mobile plans by only $5. Between 2017 and 2018, the highest reported prices for 50/10 unlimited dropped by approximately $30 for two years and then increased in 2019 to $140/month ($5 more than 2016). The lowest reported prices, however, have slowly but consistently decreased from $50 to $40.
In 2016, the price range for 5GB mobile plans were $35 to $115/month. From 2017 to 2019, the highest reported price remained consistent at $99/month while the lowest reported prices fluctuated between $35 and $48 (5GB mobile plans were $40/month in 2019). However, the average reported prices have been trending down and are sitting closer to the lowest reported prices, instead of in the middle of the price range.
From 2016 to 2019, the only price range to increase of all the communications services was for landline services. Although the lowest prices have consistently hovered around $23/month, the highest reported prices have increased from $40 to $49/month. Despite this increase, variations in landlines prices have remained small in comparison to the other communications services.
From 2016 to 2019, although basic TV services had both the lowest average prices and lowest reported prices (approximately $14/month) for all communications services, the upper range of the reported prices – the highest reported prices - have been consistently $58 or more. This indicates a greater variability in available prices in the market with the average ($24/month in 2019) sitting closer to the lowest reported price.
From 2016 to 2019, basic TV reported the lowest prices (from $14 to $18/month) and had the lowest average prices (between $25 and $25/month) of all communications services. However, the highest reported price has been consistently more than $58. This indicates a greater variability in available prices in the market.
Long description
| Service | Year | Minimum price | Maximum price | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50/10 unlimited | 2016 | $49.99 | $135.00 | $82.05 |
| 2017 | $49.00 | $105.00 | $81.08 | |
| 2018 | $40.00 | $101.00 | $78.71 | |
| 2019 | $39.99 | $139.95 | $69.10 | |
| 5GB mobile plan | 2016 | $35.00 | $115.00 | $77.47 |
| 2017 | $48.00 | $99.00 | $70.06 | |
| 2018 | $36.00 | $99.00 | $50.89 | |
| 2019 | $40.00 | $99.00 | $48.83 | |
| Landline | 2016 | $22.37 | $39.95 | $31.53 |
| 2017 | $22.37 | $40.95 | $32.24 | |
| 2018 | $22.69 | $43.95 | $34.07 | |
| 2019 | $22.69 | $48.95 | $34.18 | |
| Basic TV | 2016 | $17.95 | $74.70 | $28.07 |
| 2017 | $17.95 | $57.95 | $28.49 | |
| 2018 | $14.00 | $57.95 | $25.55 | |
| 2019 | $14.00 | $67.70 | $24.79 |
Note: In the North, Internet plans tend to have data caps so while 50/10 Mbps, unlimited data plans were unavailable both 2016 and 2019, plans with data limits for multiple speeds were available.
For trending purposes, when there is no reported price in a rural location, the CRTC used the corresponding reported urban price. (E.g., 50/10 Mbps, unlimited Internet service was not available in rural Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island or the North in 2016, so the CRTC used only urban prices).
Trends by province/territory
The following reports on regional pricing trends for service baskets included in the combined average prices. Subsequent sections will provide further data and analysis on the 50/10 unlimited, 1GB and 5GB mobile service baskets.
Internet: 50/10 Mbps, unlimited
Note that in 2019, while the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut had access to 50/10 Mbps plans, none had unlimited data caps; therefore, data points for the North are unavailable for this section.
While there was a consistent price variance of approximately $50 in most of the provinces, Saskatchewan had the largest price disparity, with prices ranging between $50 and $140. This disparity accounts for the large variance at the national level and results from the introduction of 50/10 unlimited plans in rural Saskatchewan for the first time in 2019.
Otherwise, the range of prices has homogenized across provinces in comparison to 2016 ranges. Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador saw increases in their highest prices. Despite these increases, overall the Atlantic Provinces saw a reduction in their lowest and average prices (in Prince Edward Island, the lowest price was $86 in 2016 and $45 in 2019). Though the highest prices have increased and price ranges have widened in the Atlantic Provinces, the lowest and average prices have decreased overall.
In keeping with the national trend, provincial price averages for 50/10 Mbps unlimited data plans have trended down across all the provinces since 2016, with the exception of Saskatchewan which experienced a slight increase of 2%. There were significant average price drops in Nova Scotia (‑$20, ‑23%), Manitoba (‑$19, ‑21%), and Quebec (‑$18, ‑24%). The lowest provincial average price for 50/10 unlimited Internet was offered in Quebec ($57) and the highest in Saskatchewan ($85).
Long description
| Year | Province/region (number of providers) | Minimum | Maximum | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | BC (5 providers) | $49.99 | $135.00 | $80 |
| 2016 | AB (5 providers) | $49.99 | $135.00 | $79 |
| 2016 | SK (3 providers) | $49.99 | $135.00 | $84 |
| 2016 | MB (3 providers) | $49.99 | $135.00 | $92 (highest average) |
| 2016 | ON (13 providers) | $51.95 | $92.95 | $74 (lowest average) |
| 2016 | QC (10 providers) | $49.99 | $92.95 | $75 |
| 2016 | NB (2 providers) | $72.99 | $88.95 | $77 |
| 2016 | PE (2 providers) | $85.90 | $88.95 | $87 |
| 2016 | NS (2 providers) | $85.90 | $88.95 | $87 |
| 2016 | NL (2 providers) | $82.99 | $88.95 | $86 |
| 2016 | North (0 providers) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2019 | BC (8 providers) | $49.95 | $105.00 | $69 |
| 2019 | AB (8 providers) | $49.95 | $105.00 | $74 |
| 2019 | SK (8 providers) | $49.95 | $139.95 | $85 (highest average) |
| 2019 | MB (7 providers) | $49.95 | $105.00 | $72 |
| 2019 | ON (20 providers) | $39.99 | $105.00 | $61 |
| 2019 | QC (14 providers) | $39.99 | $84.95 | $57 (lowest average) |
| 2019 | NB (5 providers) | $49.95 | $74.95 | $66 |
| 2019 | PE (5 providers) | $44.95 | $95.95 | $70 |
| 2019 | NS (5 providers) | $44.95 | $95.95 | $67 |
| 2019 | NL (7 providers) | $44.95 | $95.95 | $69 |
| 2019 | North (0 providers) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Note: The number of providers in parentheses indicates the total available number of providers in the province/territory.
Despite 50/10 Mbps plans being available in North, none of the plans offered had an unlimited data cap; therefore, no prices were reported.
Mobile Services: 5GB, unlimited voice minutes and unlimited SMS
Similar to the national trend, the provincial and territorial ranges for 5GB plans were significantly narrower in 2019 than in 2016, demonstrating maturing normalization between provinces/territories in 2019.
The largest ranges, representing the difference between the highest and lowest reported price, shifted from Alberta and British Columbia in 2016 to the North ($59), followed by Saskatchewan ($40) in 2019. The remaining provinces saw more modest ranges between $10 and $15. The lowest price across all of Canada was consistently $40 in 2019; in contrast, the lowest prices fluctuated between $35 and $65 in 2016.
Average reported 5GB mobile prices have decreased in every province and territory since 2016. In comparison to 2016, most provinces and territories saw their average 5GB plan prices drop significantly: between 39% and 45%. The average price in the provinces was similar to that in the territories, holding steady at between $45 and $48. The only exceptions were Saskatchewan ($56) and the North ($54).
Long description
| Year | Province/region (number of entities) | Minimum | Maximum | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | BC (4 entities) | $35.00 | $115.00 | $84 |
| 2016 | AB (4 entities) | $35.44 | $115.00 | $82 |
| 2016 | SK (4 entities) | $48.00 | $115.00 | $64 |
| 2016 | MB (4 entities) | $48.00 | $115.00 | $63 |
| 2016 | ON (5 entities) | $35.00 | $95.00 | $77 |
| 2016 | QC (4 entities) | $45.40 | $84.95 | $60 (lowest average) |
| 2016 | NB (3 entities) | $65.53 | $95.00 | $84 |
| 2016 | PE (4 entities) | $65.70 | $95.00 | $83 |
| 2016 | NS (4 entities) | $65.43 | $95.00 | $83 |
| 2016 | NL (3 entities) | $65.00 | $115.00 | $82 |
| 2016 | North (2 entities) | $65.00 | $115.00 | $90 (highest average) |
| 2019 | BC (4 entities) | $40.00 | $55.00 | $46 |
| 2019 | AB (4 entities) | $40.00 | $55.00 | $47 |
| 2019 | SK (4 entities) | $40.00 | $81.15 | $56 (highest average) |
| 2019 | MB (4 entities) | $40.00 | $50.00 | $47 |
| 2019 | ON (5 entities) | $40.00 | $55.00 | $47 |
| 2019 | QC (4 entities) | $40.00 | $50.00 | $46 |
| 2019 | NB (4 entities) | $40.00 | $55.00 | $47 |
| 2019 | PE (4 entities) | $40.00 | $55.00 | $49 |
| 2019 | NS (4 entities) | $40.00 | $55.00 | $49 |
| 2019 | NL (4 entities) | $40.00 | $55.00 | $45 (lowest average) |
| 2019 | North (3 entities) | $40.00 | $99.00 | $54 |
Note: The number in parentheses indicates the total available number of entities in the province/territory.
For mobile services, entities were asked to provide the lowest reported price, regardless of whether it originated from their main brand (e.g. Rogers) or one of their flanker brands (e.g. Chatr). Therefore, the text in brackets is not “providers” but “entities,” unlike in other graphs.
Landline Services
The range in reported prices for landline services within provinces and territories grew in 2019 compared to 2016 ($5 in 2016 and $12 in 2019, on average). Quebec and Ontario had the largest range ($20 and $21) whereas the North had the smallest range ($2). The lowest reported prices ($23) were offered in Saskatchewan and Quebec (a dollar higher than the lowest reported 2016 price).
Prince Edward Island had the highest average price for landline service ($37), and Saskatchewan had the lowest ($31). The Atlantic Provinces saw average prices rise between $4 and $6 since 2016 prices. Other provinces and territories saw more modest increases, staying fairly close to 2016 average prices.
Long description
| Year | Province/region (number of providers) | Minimum | Maximum | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | BC (2 providers) | $31.00 | $35.84 | $34 |
| 2016 | AB (2 providers) | $31.00 | $35.53 | $34 |
| 2016 | SK (3 providers) | $22.37 | $32.01 | $29 |
| 2016 | MB (2 providers) | $30.99 | $31.03 | $31 |
| 2016 | ON (7 providers) | $27.80 | $37.99 | $33 |
| 2016 | QC (6 providers) | $22.73 | $34.99 | $29 |
| 2016 | NB (2 providers) | $26.98 | $30.78 | $28 (Lowest average) |
| 2016 | PE (2 providers) | $30.67 | $31.95 | $31 |
| 2016 | NS (2 providers) | $30.90 | $31.95 | $31 |
| 2016 | NL (3 providers) | $25.36 | $31.95 | $30 |
| 2016 | North (2 providers) | $32.70 | $39.95 | $35 (Highest average) |
| 2019 | BC (4 providers) | $26.01 | $42.95 | $34 |
| 2019 | AB (3 providers) | $30.79 | $42.95 | $35 |
| 2019 | SK (3 providers) | $22.69 | $37.00 | $31 (Lowest average) |
| 2019 | MB (2 providers) | $32.20 | $37.00 | $33 |
| 2019 | ON (8 providers) | $27.74 | $48.95 | $36 |
| 2019 | QC (7 providers) | $22.73 | $42.95 | $32 |
| 2019 | NB (2 providers) | $32.36 | $34.72 | $34 |
| 2019 | PE (2 providers) | $32.08 | $41.95 | $37 (Highest average) |
| 2019 | NS (2 providers) | $32.48 | $41.95 | $37 |
| 2019 | NL (3 providers) | $26.87 | $41.95 | $34 |
| 2019 | North (1 provider) | $32.16 | $33.82 | $33 |
Note: The number of providers in parentheses indicates the total available number of providers in the province/territory.
Basic TV
The average price for basic TV services also stayed fairly flat from 2016 to 2019, while the largest price range has dipped from its high of $80 in 2017 to $68 in 2019.
The provincial average prices for basic TV have generally decreased since 2016. While most provinces and territories saw average prices hover around the $24 mark, the lowest average price was offered in Manitoba ($23) while the highest average price was offered in Saskatchewan ($30). Saskatchewan was the only province to have an average price above the $25 national average.
British Columbia and Alberta saw the biggest decrease in average price, dropping $9 (-26%) and $12 (-35%) respectively. Quebec was the only province to see any small increase (+2%; less than a dollar).
Overall, price disparity between provinces has shrunk since 2016, with a few notable exceptions: the price disparity grew significantly in Ontario and Quebec ($54 and $30) in 2019 and remained high in Saskatchewan ($42). While it had the biggest range of prices, Ontario had the lowest provincial price of $14 (down from $18 in 2016).
Long description
| Year | Province/region (number of providers) | Minimum | Maximum | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | BC (6 providers) | $17.95 | $73.65 | $33 |
| 2016 | AB (5 providers) | $17.95 | $74.70 | $36 (highest average) |
| 2016 | SK (5 providers) | $17.95 | $57.95 | $30 |
| 2016 | MB (4 providers) | $17.95 | $25.00 | $24 (lowest average) |
| 2016 | ON (9 providers) | $17.95 | $57.50 | $27 |
| 2016 | QC (9 providers) | $17.95 | $39.99 | $25 |
| 2016 | NB (2 providers) | $24.95 | $24.99 | $25 |
| 2016 | PE (2 providers) | $24.95 | $25.00 | $25 |
| 2016 | NS (2 providers) | $24.95 | $25.00 | $25 |
| 2016 | NL (3 providers) | $24.95 | $39.62 | $25 |
| 2016 | North (2 providers) | $24.95 | $32.28 | $30 |
| 2019 | BC (6 providers) | $21.95 | $34.95 | $25 |
| 2019 | AB (4 providers) | $17.95 | $25.00 | $23 |
| 2019 | SK (5 providers) | $17.95 | $59.45 | $30 (highest average) |
| 2019 | MB (3 providers) | $17.95 | $25.00 | $23 (lowest average) |
| 2019 | ON (11 providers) | $14.00 | $67.70 | $24 |
| 2019 | QC (10 providers) | $19.24 | $48.99 | $26 |
| 2019 | NB (3 providers) | $21.95 | $24.99 | $24 |
| 2019 | PE (3 providers) | $21.95 | $25.00 | $24 |
| 2019 | NS (3 providers) | $21.95 | $25.00 | $24 |
| 2019 | NL (4 providers) | $24.95 | $25.00 | $25 |
| 2019 | North (2 providers) | $24.95 | $24.95 | $25 |
Note: The number of providers in parentheses indicates the total available number of providers in the province/territory.
iii. Pricing: A Deeper Dive into Mobile and Internet Baskets
While the previous sections reported on the specific services included within the combined price analysis, the following section provides a broader report on pricing within the services comparing data collected for the different service baskets.
As noted with the previous section on combined prices, prices for communication services have declined overall since 2016, with the exception of the basic landline services. At the national level, the downward trend from 2016 pricing was consistent across all Internet and mobile service baskets. However, as explored within this section, there remain variation between regions and service baskets.
Pricing: Mobile Services (2016-2019)
Methodology
Pricing information for mobile services is based on the five ‘baskets’ of combined data, voice and SMS usage levels listed in Table 5.2 below.
‘Mobile service’ refers to “bring-your-own-device” (BYOD) 3G or higher (e.g. LTE or LTE-A) wireless service plans that were publicly available to residential consumers on December 31, 2019 (i.e. a grandfathered plan or promotional plan cannot be included in data collection). Each entity must submit the lowest available price on behalf of both their main and flanker brands.
| Basket Name | Data allotment range | Minimum voice minutes | Minimum SMS | Minimum speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No data | Any data | 150 minutes | 0 SMS | 3G or higher |
| 1GB | 1 to 2 GB | Any minutes | Any SMS | 3G or higher |
| 2GB | 2 to 4.9 GB | 1200 minutes | 300 SMS | 3G or higher |
| 5GB | 5 to 9.9 GB | Unlimited minutes | Unlimited SMS | 3G or higher |
10GB (new in the 2019 data collection) |
10 or more GB | Unlimited minutes | Unlimited SMS | 3G or higher |
Notes:
- Prior to 2019, the “No data” basket was referred to as “level 1”; 1GB basket was “level 2”; 2GB basket was “level 3”; 5GB basket was “level 4.”
- Prior to 2019, the minimum voice and SMS requirements for the 1GB basket were 450 minutes and 300 SMS, respectively.
Average Reported Prices
National Prices
Consistent with the trend in previous years, combined reported monthly prices for mobile services declined by 13.8% over 2018, with the greatest decline in the 1GB basket at -28.5% (a difference of $10.07). All service baskets declined between approximately $2 and $10 over 2018.
Scroll
View data
Note: The 1GB basket was updated in 2019 from “1GB, 450 minutes, 300 SMS” to “1GB, any minutes, any SMS.”
Rural and Urban Prices
The pricing that providers reported for 2019 shows little difference between pricing in rural areas and pricing in urban areas. As urban centres have more options for mobile services, there is a greater range in available prices. This increases the average for urban centres.
Scroll
View data
Range of Reported Prices
Consistent with previous years, the larger the data plan, the larger the variance in price. However, comparing 2016 to 2019, the variance in prices has, on average, decreased significantly across service baskets and territories/provinces. In 2019, the lowest prices across all service baskets were reported in Ottawa-Gatineau, Montreal and Quebec City.
The most basic service level comprised of 150 minutes of voice, no SMS, and no data. The lowest price reported was $17, followed by $19 in the North. Prices for this service had limited variation within rural communities, ranging from $24 to $35 across the country. Urban centres reported similar or lower prices than rural communities.
Prices for the 2GB of data with 1200 minutes and 300 SMS basket shared a similar trend, with the lowest reported price reported at $28. Highest prices and ranges were reported in Regina and Saskatchewan ($45 to $81), followed by the North ($45 to $59). Urban centres reported similar or lower prices than rural ranges, with the exception of Manitoba. In Manitoba, the rural price range ($35 to $45) dipped below the single price point of $45 found in urban centres.
Within the 10GB unlimited minutes and SMS service basket, the lowest prices were reported once again in Ottawa, Quebec City and Montreal at $51. Prices in urban centres in the North were higher than the rest of the country ($75 to $119). However, the rural communities reported a single price point ($75) which was the normal range for the rest of the country.
More detailed information is available through Datasets Available on Open Data.
Due to interest in related regulatory initiatives, the section below provides a deeper dive into of the remaining two baskets.
Lower-cost data-only mobile plans (1GB, any minutes, any SMS): Urban vs rural and provincial/territorial comparisons
In March 2018, the CRTC concluded that there was a need in the wireless market for lower-cost data-only plans. The organization launched a proceeding to ensure that national wireless providers fill this gap. As a result, national wireless providers introduced a variety of lower-cost data-only plans that had not been previously available in the Canadian market. The proceeding required that the plans be made widely available by April 2019.
In 2019, the average price for mobile plans with 1GB, any minute, any SMS has decreased by 25.8% over the previous reporting year (from $39.10 to $29.03).
Prices reported for mobile service with 1GB of data and any number of minutes and SMS were fairly consistent between urban centres and rural communities. At the provincial level, urban and rural regions reported similar prices and ranges, except for Manitoba where higher pricing was seen in rural regions and Ontario where lower prices were seen in urban regions. In the North, the plan was also offered at a higher price in urban regions.
Long description
| Province/Region (number of entities) | Lowest reported price | Highest reported price |
|---|---|---|
| BC rural (3 entities) | $28 | $30 |
| BC urban (4 entities) | $28 | $30 |
| AB rural (3 entities) | $28 | $30 |
| AB urban (4 entities) | $28 | $30 |
| SK rural (4 entities) | $16 | $30 |
| SK urban (4 entities) | $16 | $30 |
| MB rural (4 entities) | $28 | $35 |
| MB urban (3 entities) | $28 | $30 |
| ON rural (4 entities) | $28 | $30 |
| ON urban (5 entities) | $15 | $30 |
| QC rural (4 entities) | $15 | $30 |
| QC urban (4 entities) | $15 | $30 |
| NB rural (3 entities) | $28 | $30 |
| NB urban (3 entities) | $28 | $30 |
| PE rural (3 entities) | $28 | $30 |
| PE urban (3 entities) | $28 | $30 |
| NS rural (3 entities) | $28 | $30 |
| NS urban (3 entities) | $28 | $30 |
| NL rural (2 entities) | $28 | $30 |
| NL urban (3 entities) | $28 | $30 |
| YT rural (2 entities) | $28 | $30 |
| YT urban (3 entities) | $28 | $49 |
| NT rural (2 entities) | $28 | $30 |
| NT urban (3 entities) | $28 | $49 |
| NU rural (2 entities) | $28 | $30 |
| NU urban (3 entities) | $28 | $49 |
Note: The number in parentheses indicates the number of unique entities (i.e., main brands, who reported on behalf of their flankers) that reported a price in the province/territory.
5GB, unlimited minutes, unlimited SMS mobile plan: Urban vs rural and provincial/territorial comparisons
Provincial prices in urban centres and rural communities were similar, with the lowest price being $40 across the country. The price range for the rural communities either matches or is lower than for urban centers within each province. There is a notable discrepancy in the North; the urban price range is $40-$99, much higher than its rural counterparts’ range of $40-$50.
Elsewhere in Canada, the ranges are comparable. The province with largest price range was Saskatchewan ($40-$81). The prices for urban centres and most rural communities matched the prices in the figure below, with the exception of British Columbia, Alberta, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador, where the highest reported price were $5 higher ($55) in the urban centres compared to the rural communities ($50).
Long description
| Province/Region (number of entities) | Lowest reported price | Highest reported price |
|---|---|---|
| BC rural (3 entities) | $40 | $50 |
| BC urban (4 entities) | $40 | $55 |
| AB rural (3 entities) | $40 | $50 |
| AB urban (4 entities) | $40 | $55 |
| SK rural (4 entities) | $40 | $81 |
| SK urban (4 entities) | $40 | $81 |
| MB rural (4 entities) | $40 | $50 |
| MB urban (3 entities) | $40 | $50 |
| ON rural (4 entities) | $40 | $55 |
| ON urban (5 entities) | $40 | $55 |
| QC rural (4 entities) | $40 | $50 |
| QC urban (4 entities) | $40 | $50 |
| NB rural (3 entities) | $40 | $50 |
| NB urban (4 entities) | $40 | $55 |
| PE rural (4 entities) | $40 | $55 |
| PE urban (4 entities) | $40 | $55 |
| NS rural (4 entities) | $40 | $55 |
| NS urban (4 entities) | $40 | $55 |
| NL rural (2 entities) | $40 | $50 |
| NL urban (4 entities) | $40 | $55 |
| YT rural (2 entities) | $40 | $50 |
| YT urban (3 entities) | $40 | $99 |
| NT rural (2 entities) | $40 | $50 |
| NT urban (3 entities) | $40 | $99 |
| NU rural (2 entities) | $40 | $50 |
| NU urban (3 entities) | $40 | $99 |
Pricing: Internet Services (2016-2019)
Methodology
Pricing information for Internet services is based on three baskets with different levels of download and upload speeds and data transfer limits (i.e. data caps). ‘Internet service’ refers to fixed Internet available to residential consumers. The publicly available prices must meet the minimum requirements of the following baskets:
| Basket Name | Download speed range | Upload speed range | Data transfer range (i.e., “data cap”) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25/3 Mbps | 25 to 49.9 Mbps | 3 to 9.9 Mbps | 100 GB/month | -- |
| 50/10 unlimited | 50 to 99.9 Mbps | 10 to 14.9 Mbps | Unlimited data | The target speed and universal service objective, established in 2016 by Telecom Regulatory Policy 2016-496. |
100/15 Mbps (new in the 2019 data collection) |
100 Mbps or higher | 15 Mbps or higher | 500 GB/month | -- |
Average Report Prices
National Prices
Nationally, average Internet prices have gone down since 2016. While the average price for 25/3 Mbps 100 GB of data/month had previously increased between 2017 and 2018, this trend reversed in 2019, resulting in the lowest average price ($75) since 2016 ($78) (CAGR -1.2%). The 50/10 Mbps unlimited Internet service has steadily decreased since 2016 (CAGR -5.57%) and now sits at $69 for the first time, falling below the average reported price for the 25/3 Mbps 100 GB/month plan ($75).
Scroll
View data
Note: The 5/1 Mbps basket was replaced with the 100/15 Mbps, 500GB/month basket in the 2019 data collection.
The average price for 50/10 unlimited excludes the North because unlimited data caps are not available. Due to this exclusion, the average price for 50/10 unlimited represents only the provinces and thus, is lower than the 25/3 average price which includes the provinces and territories – the latter of which are more expensive than the provinces.
Provincial Pricing
The trend for Internet pricing at the provincial level is similar to that at the national level. The average price for 50/10 Mbps unlimited Internet has decreased since 2016 in every province except Saskatchewan, where it has risen to overtake the Atlantic with the highest average price in Canada at $85.46; slightly above the 2016 price ($84.13; CAGR 0.39%).
While still lower than the reported 2016 average price ($79.04), Alberta’s reported pricing in 2019 grew slightly ($73.82; +7.36%) over its 2018 reported price of $68.75. Contrary to the previous trend of rising prices in the Atlantic provinces, 2019 marked a steep decrease in average price across the Atlantic (New Brunswick -30%, Prince Edward Island -27.83%, Nova Scotia -30.86%, and Newfoundland and Labrador -25.8%).
This service was not offered in the North.
Scroll
View data
Note: 50/10 unlimited is not available in the North.
Range of Reported Prices
25/3 Mbps, 100 GB/month service: Urban vs rural and provincial/territorial comparisons
Internet service with 25 Mbps download, 3 Mbps upload and a 100 GB/month data cap was available for a minimum of $25 to $50 across provincial urban centres in Canada. Prices varied significantly from $25 to $130. The lowest price, $25, was reported for urban centres throughout Ontario. Urban centres reported either the same or lower prices than their rural counterparts across the country, except for New Brunswick (lowest price was $50 in the urban centre compared to $48 in rural community).
The North reported the highest prices, fluctuating between urban and rural areas, and ranged between $100 and $130, where service was available. Additional information can be found on Open Data.
100/15 Mbps, 500GB/month service: Urban vs rural and provincial/territorial comparisons
As the Internet service basket with the highest speed, 100 Mbps download and 15 Mbps upload with a 500GB data cap reported prices between $45 and $300 across the country. In the provinces, minimum prices ranged between $45 and $75. Where available, minimum prices reported in the urban centres were either the same or lower than in rural communities, with the exception of Quebec where rural prices were reported as $5 lower than their urban counterparts (rural: $45; urban: $50). The lowest price, $45, was reported in rural Quebec and urban Ontario. However, urban Ontario also reported the highest price point of $300, far exceeding the maximum range of other provinces ($75 to $140).
100/15 Mbps availability was limited in the North with the service being offered at a single price point of $240. Additional information can be found on Open Data.
50/10 Mbps, unlimited GB/month: Urban vs rural and provincial/territorial comparisons
Within provinces, more Internet service providers offered the 50/10 Mbps service in urban centres than in rural communities, except in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, where there were 5 providers for both urban and rural communities.
While pricing in rural communities began at a higher price point in most provinces, the starting price point for urban and rural communities in the same province were similar in half the provinces. In Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario and Saskatchewan, the starting price point for this service was higher in rural areas than in urban centres.
The highest prices were scattered between urban centres and rural communities offering fairly similar overlapping ranges. Saskatchewan’s rural communities, however, had the highest Internet starting price and range, with services starting at $90 and ranging up to $140. This pricing differs significantly not only from the urban centres of Saskatchewan but also from the rest of the country, which showed an average range between $50 and $96. Urban centres in New Brunswick also saw a narrower range ($61-$75) with the second-highest starting price.
This service was not offered in the North.
More detailed information is available through Datasets Available on Open Data.
Long description
| Province/Region (number of providers) | Lowest reported price | Highest reported price |
|---|---|---|
| BC rural (5 providers) | $50 | $90 |
| BC urban (8 providers) | $50 | $105 |
| AB rural (4 providers) | $50 | $90 |
| AB urban (8 providers) | $50 | $105 |
| SK rural (2 providers) | $90 | $140 |
| SK urban (7 providers) | $50 | $105 |
| MB rural (3 providers) | $50 | $105 |
| MB urban (6 providers) | $50 | $105 |
| ON rural (12 providers) | $49 | $105 |
| ON urban (16 providers) | $40 | $95 |
| QC rural (9 providers) | $45 | $85 |
| QC urban (12 providers) | $40 | $85 |
| NB rural (5 providers) | $61 | $75 |
| NB urban (5 providers) | $50 | $75 |
| NS rural (5 providers) | $45 | $96 |
| NS urban (5 providers) | $45 | $96 |
| PE rural (2 providers) | $54 | $96 |
| PE urban (5 providers) | $45 | $96 |
| NL rural (3 providers) | $50 | $96 |
| NL urban (5 providers) | $45 | $75 |
| YT rural (0 providers) | $0 | $0 |
| YT urban (0 providers) | $0 | $0 |
| NT rural (0 providers) | $0 | $0 |
| NT urban (0 providers) | $0 | $0 |
| NU rural (0 providers) | $0 | $0 |
| NU urban (0 providers) | $0 | $0 |
Note: 50/10 unlimited is not available in the North.
iv. Datasets Available on Open Data
There is an Excel workbook and CSV zip related to this report that have been published on the Open Data portal. They contain the data found in the figures and tables in this section of the CMR, in addition to supplementary datasets (P-S1 to P-S23) that originate from earlier editions of the CMR.
Instructions: Use the table below to search for datasets available on Open Data that are related to this section of the CMR. When you have found the dataset, go to the Find a CMR Dataset page and download the workbook Data - Monthly prices at year-end. Search for the ‘tab name’ in the Excel workbook tabs to locate the data.
| Tab name | Title |
|---|---|
| P-F1 | Average price by service (Canada) |
| P-F2 | Annual breakdown: average combined reported prices of 50/10 Mbps unlimited, 5GB mobile plan, basic landline and basic TV (region: province/territory and national) |
| P-F3 | Average combined prices of communications services (region: urban and rural) |
| P-F4 | Urban and rural breakdown for average combined reported prices for 50/10 Mbps unlimited, 5GB unlimited mobile plans, basic landline and basic TV (region: province/territory and national) |
| P-F5 | Range of reported prices for 50/10 Mbps unlimited, 5GB mobile plans, landline services and basic TV services |
| P-F6 | Internet services: range of reported prices for 50/10 Mbps unlimited (region: province/territory) |
| P-F7 | Mobile services: range of reported prices for 5GB mobile plans (region: province/territory) |
| P-F8 | Landline services: range of reported prices and average reported prices (region: province/territory) |
| P-F9 | Basic TV services: range of reported prices and average reported prices (region: province/territory) |
| P-F10 | Average of lowest reported prices ($/month) for mobile services (region: Canada) |
| P-F11 | Average prices of mobile baskets (region: urban and rural) |
| P-F12 | Range of reported prices for 1GB, any minutes, any SMS mobile plans (lower-cost data-only) (region: province/territory, urban and rural) |
| P-F13 | Range of reported prices for 5GB, unlimited minutes, unlimited SMS mobile plans (region: province/territory, urban and rural) |
| P-F14 | Average of lowest reported prices ($/month) for Internet services (region: Canada) |
| P-F15 | Average price of 50/10 Mbps unlimited Internet (region: province/territory) |
| P-F16 | Range of reported prices for Internet service (50/10 Mbps, unlimited GB/month) (region: province/territory, urban and rural) |
| P-T1 | Average reported monthly price, price differential and growth, by service (region: Canada) |
| P-T2 | Mobile baskets included in the 2019 Annual Communications Pricing Survey |
| P-T3 | Internet baskets in the 2019 Annual Communications Pricing Survey |
| P-T4 | List of rural communities and urban centres by province or territory |
| P-S1 | Comparison of basic communications services by price and share of total reported prices (region: Canada) |
| P-S2 | Average reported prices for communications services (region: province/territory) |
| P-S3 | Average reported prices in urban centres and rural communities for communications services by province/region |
| P-S4 | Basic TV services: range of reported prices, by urban centre ($/month) |
| P-S5 | Basic TV services: range of reported prices (region: province/territory, urban and rural) ($/month) |
| P-S6 | Landline services: range of reported prices, by urban centre ($/month) |
| P-S7 | Landline services: range of reported prices (region: province/territory, urban and rural) ($/month) |
| P-S8 | Internet services: range of reported prices, 5/1 Mbps, by urban centre ($/month) |
| P-S9 | Internet services: range of reported prices, 25/3 Mbps, 100 GB/month, by urban centre ($/month) |
| P-S10 | Internet services: range of reported prices, 50/10 Mbps, unlimited GB/month, by urban centre ($/month) |
| P-S11 | Internet services: range of reported prices, 100/15 Mbps, 500 GB/month, by urban centre ($/month) |
| P-S12 | Internet services: range of reported prices, 5/1 Mbps (region: province/territory, urban and rural) ($/month) |
| P-S13 | Internet services: range of reported prices, 25/3 Mbps, 100 GB/month (region: province/territory, urban and rural) ($/month) |
| P-S14 | Internet services: range of reported prices, 100/15 Mbps, 500 GB/month (region: province/territory, urban and rural) ($/month) |
| P-S15 | Mobile services: range of reported prices, no data, 150 minutes, no SMS, by urban centre ($/month) |
| P-S16 | Mobile services: range of reported prices, 1GB data, any minutes, any SMS, by urban centre ($/month) |
| P-S17 | Mobile services: range of reported prices, 2GB data, 1200 minutes, 300 SMS, by urban centre ($/month) |
| P-S18 | Mobile services: range of reported prices, 5GB data, unlimited minutes, unlimited SMS, by urban centre ($/month) |
| P-S19 | Mobile services: range of reported prices, 10GB data, unlimited minutes, unlimited SMS, by urban centre ($/month) |
| P-S20 | Mobile services: range of reported prices, no data, 150 minutes, no SMS (region: province/territory, urban and rural) ($/month) |
| P-S21 | Mobile services: range of reported prices, 1GB, any minutes, any SMS (region: province/territory, urban and rural) ($/month) |
| P-S22 | Mobile services: range of reported prices, 2GB, 1200 minutes, 300 SMS (region: province/territory, urban and rural) ($/month) |
| P-S23 | Mobile services: range of reported prices, 10GB, unlimited minutes, unlimited SMS (region: province/territory, urban and rural) ($/month) |
v. Methodology
Definitions
Brands
Flanker brands are brands introduced into the wireless market by an entity that already has a well-established main brand. In the Canadian market, these include brands such as Virgin Mobile and Lucky Mobile (Bell), Fido and Chatr (Rogers), Koodo and Public Mobile (TELUS), and Fizz (Vidéotron).
Main brands are flagship brands that are most recognizable by consumers and are directly associated to the parent companies that own and operate the facilities to provide services. Such brands include Bell Mobility, Rogers, TELUS, and Vidéotron.
Reported prices
Reported price refers to the monthly prices that are publicly available to consumers as of December 31 for the collection year (2019). Entities report these prices to the CRTC via the CRTC’s Data Collection System. Entities must submit the lowest price that meets the minimum service requirements as defined in the Annual Pricing Survey. These requirements are outlined in the Communications services section below.
- Minimum service requirements: Service providers identify and report the price of the service, including those of their flanker brands that best matches the minimum service requirements identified in the survey.
- Exclusions: Extra charges are excluded. These can include charges such as activation fees, device subsidies and roaming charges. Discounts are also excluded, such as customer retention discounts and bundling discounts.
Highest and lowest prices include the highest and lowest reported prices by primary brand (including their respective flankers) by urban centre and rural community.
Communication services
Mobile service refers to “bring-your-own-device” (BYOD) 3G or higher (e.g., LTE or LTE-A) wireless service plans that are publicly available to residential consumers. Both main and flanker brands are used to determine the available prices that meet the minimum of the following baskets:
| Basket Name | Data allotment range | Minimum voice minutes | Minimum SMS | Minimum speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No data | Any data | 150 minutes | 0 SMS | 3G or higher |
| 1GB | 1 to 2 GB | Any minutes | Any SMS | 3G or higher |
| 2GB | 2 to 4.9 GB | 1200 minutes | 300 SMS | 3G or higher |
| 5GB | 5 to 9.9 GB | Unlimited minutes | Unlimited SMS | 3G or higher |
10GB (new in the 2019 data collection) |
10 or more GB | Unlimited minutes | Unlimited SMS | 3G or higher |
Notes:
- Prior to 2019, the No data basket was referred to as “level 1”; 1GB basket was “level 2”; 2GB basket was “level 3”; 5GB basket was “level 4”.
- Prior to 2019, the minimum voice and SMS requirements for the 1GB basket were 450 minutes and 300 SMS, respectively.
Internet service refers to fixed Internet available to residential consumers. The publicly available prices must meet the minimum requirements of the following baskets:
| Basket Name | Download speed range | Upload speed range | Data transfer range (i.e., “data cap”) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
5/1Mbps (removed from the 2019 data collection) |
5 to 24.9 Mbps | 1 to 3 Mbps | None | The 2011 target speed established by Telecom Regulatory Policy 2011-291. |
| 25/3Mbps, 100GB | 25 to 49.9 Mbps | 3 to 9.9 Mbps | 100 GB/month | -- |
| 50/10 unlimited | 50 to 99.9 Mbps | 10 to 14.9 Mbps | Unlimited data | The target speed and universal service objective, established in 2016 by Telecom Regulatory Policy 2016-496. |
100/15 (new in the 2019 data collection) |
100 Mbps or higher | 15 Mbps or higher | 500 GB/month | -- |
Process for calculating averages
We calculate averages by service, basket, and entity (regardless of flanker) using the minimum reported prices. Each entity must report the lowest non-promotional price meeting the minimum requirements for the basket.
-
To begin, we calculate an average for each province and territory by summing the prices reported in each rural community in the respective province/territory, and dividing this sum by the number of communities reported in that province/territory (communities with no prices are excluded).
-
We calculate the rural average for the North by dividing the sum of the territorial averages by three (the number of territories):
-
We then add this value to the sum of the provincial rural averages and divide by 11 (10 provinces and the northern rural average) to generate the national rural average:
- We repeat the above three calculations for urban centres.
-
Finally, we calculate the national average by dividing the sum of the urban and rural averages by two:
We repeat the above process for every service, basket and year of reported prices. If the rural average is not available, we use the urban average in its place.
List of national regions
- The North: Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut
- Prairies: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba
- Central Canada: Ontario and Quebec
- Atlantic Provinces: Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia
List of rural communities and urban centres
The CRTC selected 54 rural communities and 24 urban centres to represent the provinces and territories.
We selected rural communities based on the following criteria:
- The community was not part of one of the census metropolitan areas of the 24 urban centres listed below.
- The community had a population density of fewer than 400 people per square kilometre, or its population centres had fewer than 1,000 people per centre.
- The number of communities selected in each province or territory reflected that province’s or territory’s proportion of the total population of Canada.
- The communities were not geographically clustered.
| Territory or province | Rural communities | Urban centres |
|---|---|---|
| Yukon (YT) | Dawson City Mayo |
Whitehorse |
| Northwest Territories (NT) | Fort Simpson Fort Smith |
Yellowknife |
| Nunavut (NU) | Cape Dorset Igloolik |
Iqaluit |
| British Columbia (BC) | Barriere Bowser Cobble Hill Hazelton Kaslo Keremeos Thrums |
Vancouver Victoria |
| Alberta (AB) | Cremona Evansburg Glendon Hythe Wabasca |
Calgary Edmonton |
| Saskatchewan (SK) | Broadview Gull Lake Naicam Redvers Spiritwood |
Saskatoon Regina |
| Manitoba (MB) | Ashern La Broquerie Norway House Pine Falls Southport |
Winnipeg |
| Ontario (ON) | Bayfield Ripley Bancroft Echo Bay Emsdale Ingleside Lion's Head |
Toronto Ottawa - Gatineau Hamilton London Kitchener - Waterloo St. Catharines - Niagara Windsor Oshawa |
| Quebec (QC) | L'Islet La Guadeloupe Lac-Des-Écorces New Carlisle Laterrière Rock Island St-Honoré (Témiscouata Co.) |
Montréal Québec |
| Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) | Burin Harbour Main New Harbour |
St. John's |
| New Brunswick (NB) | Cap-Pelé Florenceville Lamèque |
Fredericton |
| Prince Edward Island (PE) | Crapaud Hunter River Morell-St. Peters |
Charlottetown |
| Nova Scotia (NS) | Bear River Mahone Bay Wedgeport |
Halifax |
Note: Major centre boundaries are defined using Statistics Canada’s census metropolitan area and census agglomeration definitions.
- Date modified: