There is no truly free home internet service in Canada. Government programs and ISP social initiatives offer significantly discounted plans for eligible low-income households, but a monthly fee always applies. The only path to a $0 bill is through ISP referral credits, which can offset your cost entirely if you refer enough people. Here is every legitimate option available right now.
Connecting Families Initiative – Government of Canada
The Connecting Families Initiative (CFI) is a federal program administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). It allows eligible low-income households to access discounted home internet through participating ISPs. The program is funded by the ISPs voluntarily, with no direct government subsidy applied to your bill.
To join you must receive an invitation letter from the Government of Canada containing a unique access code. Eligibility is assessed annually based on household income and benefit status. You cannot self-enroll without this letter.
Connecting Families 2.0
| Plan | Price/mo (plus tax) | Download | Upload | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFI Plan 1 | $10.00 | 10 Mbps | 1 Mbps | 100 GB |
| CFI Plan 2 | $20.00 | 50 Mbps | 10 Mbps | 200 GB |
Offered through 19 participating ISPs including Bell, Rogers, Telus, Cogeco, SaskTel, Videotron, Shaw, Tbaytel, Eastlink, and others. Plan availability depends on which ISPs serve your address.
Eligibility
- Receive the maximum Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
- Receive the maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) as a senior
- Must receive an invitation letter with an access code from the Government of Canada
Registration is completed through the Connecting Families Registration Portal. For help, contact Computers for Success Canada at 1-833-206-0599.
Telus Internet for Good
Telus Internet for Good is a low-cost home internet program for low-income families, seniors receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement, youth aging out of care, and people with disabilities. It is available in British Columbia, Alberta, and some areas of Quebec only. There are no contracts and no cancellation fees. Eligible customers also have the option to purchase a low-cost refurbished computer through the B.C. Technology for Learning Society or Alberta Computers for Schools, depending on location.
Telus Internet for Good Plans
| Plan | Price/mo | Download | Upload | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet 25 | $10.00 | 25 Mbps | 25 Mbps | 300 GB |
| Internet 50 | $20.00 | 50 Mbps | 50 Mbps | Unlimited |
| Internet 150 | $35.00 | 150 Mbps | 150 Mbps | Unlimited |
| Available in BC, Alberta and some areas of Quebec. No contracts or cancellation fees. Option to purchase a low-cost refurbished computer where available. | ||||
Eligibility for Telus Internet for Good
- Receive the maximum Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
- Family net income of $37,487 or less (confirmed by recent CCB statement)
- Seniors receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
- Youth aging out of the care system
- People with disabilities in need
- Government-assisted refugees (in partnership with resettlement organizations in BC, Alberta, and some areas of Quebec)
- Participants in the federal Connecting Families Program
View official Telus Internet for Good page → | Telus internet plans on Topicks.ca | Telus coverage map
Rogers Connected for Success
Rogers Connected for Success (CFS) offers low-cost home internet to eligible low-income Canadians in Rogers service areas. Rogers partners with over 550 non-profit housing organizations across Canada to help qualifying households get connected. All plans include unlimited data.
Rogers Xfinity Internet – Connected for Success Plans
| Plan | Price/mo | Download | Upload | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Internet 25 | $9.00 | 25 Mbps | 5 Mbps | Unlimited |
| Xfinity Internet 50 | $14.99 | 50 Mbps | 10 Mbps | Unlimited |
| Xfinity Internet 150 | $34.99 | 150 Mbps | 30 Mbps | Unlimited |
Eligibility for Rogers Connected for Success
Eligibility requirements vary by province. The list below includes common qualifying programs but is not exhaustive. Visit the Rogers eligibility page for the full list applicable to your province.
- Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP)
- Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
- Connecting Families Program
- On-Reserve Income Assistance Program
- CPP Disability
- Rent Geared to Income (RGI) housing
- Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
- Ontario Works (OW)
- Provincial income support and disability programs (varies by province)
- Alberta Affordable Housing / AISH
- B.C. Subsidized Housing / PWD / BCEA
View Rogers Connected for Success → | Full eligibility and application details → | Rogers internet plans on Topicks.ca | Rogers coverage map
Bell – Affordable Internet Options
Bell Low-Income Internet Assistance
Bell does offer discounted internet options for low-income households, including participation in the federal Connecting Families Initiative. However, Bell does not currently publish a dedicated public-facing page with full plan details and pricing for its low-income program. To find out what is available at your address and whether you qualify, contact Bell directly.
Bell customer support: 1-800-819-4032 | bell.ca
Bell participates in the Connecting Families Initiative (see above), so households that receive an invitation letter and live in Bell service areas may be able to access a discounted CFI plan through Bell. Contact Bell directly to confirm current pricing and availability at your address.
Get Internet Free Through ISP Referral Programs
No Canadian ISP offers a permanent $0/month plan without income eligibility. However, several smaller and independent internet providers run referral programs that credit both the existing customer and the new customer when a friend signs up. If you refer enough people, your monthly bill can effectively reach zero.
| ISP | New Customer Gets | Referring Customer Gets | Cap / Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxio | 1 month free | 1 month free (after referee active for 2 months) | No cap on referrals | oxio.ca |
| Cogeco | $100 bill credit (after 2 months) | $100 bill credit (after 2 months) | Max $500/year in credits; both must keep at least 1 active service for 2 months | cogeco.ca | Coverage map |
| TekSavvy | $25/mo for 2 months ($50 total) | $25/mo for 2 months ($50 total) per referral; max $25 credit in any given month | Eligible plans must be at least 50 Mbps download. Credit begins after referee's second month. Cannot stack with other promos. | teksavvy.com |
| VMedia | $25 bill credit (after 1st billing cycle) | $25 bill credit | No published cap | vmedia.ca |
| Netcrawler | $10 credit (after referee's 2nd month) | $10 credit | No published cap | netcrawler.ca |
Referral credits are applied to your account and reduce your billed amount. Credit timing, terms, and availability are set by each ISP and may change at any time. Always verify current terms directly with the provider before signing up.
Of the options above, Oxio offers the most direct path to a $0 bill through referrals. Each friend who signs up and stays for two months earns you a free month. There is no annual cap, meaning active referrers can theoretically offset their entire cost each month. Oxio plans currently start at $25/month and are available in select provinces.
Not eligible for any of the above? Compare the lowest-priced home internet plans available at your address using our comparison tool.
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