Carney Says Canada Working to Reduce Dependence on Starlink for National Security

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada is actively working to reduce its reliance on Starlink, citing national security concerns and the need for sovereign control over critical communications infrastructure.

The pivot

In an interview with The New York Times, Carney acknowledged that other satellite networks do not yet match Starlink's capabilities and resilience. He suggested that working with partners in Europe and potentially South Korea could help Canada build enough scale to reduce its dependence on the SpaceX system, particularly for defence communications.

The comments, first reported by CultMTL, signal a shift in how the federal government views satellite internet — not just as a consumer service but as strategic infrastructure.

Domestic alternative: Telesat Lightspeed

Canada already has a homegrown project underway. Ottawa has committed a $2.14-billion loan to Telesat Lightspeed, a planned low Earth orbit satellite network. The federal government has also secured capacity on Lightspeed for internet providers serving rural and remote areas. In Nunavut, Northwestel plans to use that capacity to connect communities across the territory.

Telesat Lightspeed is expected to begin serving remote communities in the coming years.

Provincial programs: a mixed picture

Several provinces have struck their own Starlink deals, creating a patchwork of dependencies:

• Quebec signed an agreement with SpaceX to bring Starlink to hard-to-reach households, covering equipment costs and part of the monthly bill for eligible customers.
• Ontario planned a $100 million Starlink program for up to 15,000 underserved homes and businesses, but cancelled the partnership before it launched amid a tariff dispute between Premier Doug Ford and U.S. President Donald Trump.
• Alberta offers eligible rural households a rebate toward satellite equipment.
• Nova Scotia has offered a rebate of up to $1,000 for setup costs through qualified satellite providers.

What happens next

Carney's comments do not mean Canadians will be asked to give up Starlink directly — anyone can still sign up for the service. The focus is on government procurement decisions: when public money connects remote communities or funds defence communications, Ottawa wants alternatives.

Until Telesat Lightspeed or international partner networks are operational, governments will still need to decide where Starlink remains the most practical way to keep people and essential services connected. The timeline for a viable Canadian alternative remains the critical question.

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