Quebec’s government is cautiously maintaining its contract with Starlink, despite Ontario’s recent termination of its $100 million agreement with the satellite internet service. Premier François Legault emphasized the importance of the service for remote households, while also expressing concerns about American tariffs. Although significant financial commitments have been made, with subsidies increasing notably, there are indications that Quebec may not renew the contract when it expires in June 2025.
Quebec Government’s Stance on Starlink: A Cautious Approach
The Legault administration is taking a careful stance regarding the continuation of its contract with Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk. In light of concerns over potentially disrupting internet access for residents in remote areas, the government has opted to maintain its partnership “for now,” diverging from Ontario’s recent decision to sever ties with the service.
Ontario’s Decision and Quebec’s Response
Earlier this week, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the termination of a $100 million contract with Starlink. This decision was influenced by fears of tariffs from the Trump administration, which Ford claims threaten the province’s economy. Ford emphasized, “We will not do business with individuals intent on undermining our economy,” while directly addressing Musk’s affiliations.
In stark contrast, Quebec’s Premier François Legault clarified that canceling the contract would negatively impact many households that rely on Starlink for their internet connection. “If we cancel the Starlink contract tomorrow, it means homes will lose their internet access,” he stated. Although Legault expressed his reservations about partnering with such American companies, he acknowledged the necessity of proceeding with caution for the sake of Quebec residents.
The Minister of Economy’s office echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to address the challenges posed by the Trump administration’s tariffs without compromising the internet access of thousands of Quebecers. Maxime Roy, the communications director for Minister Christine Fréchette, highlighted the importance of acting wisely to prevent adverse effects on the province.
With the current contract with Starlink set to expire in June 2025, there are indications that Quebec may not seek to renew it. Gilles Bélanger, the parliamentary assistant responsible for the “High-Speed Operation,” mentioned that while they may not continue the partnership, the focus remains on ensuring connectivity for residents.
The Financial Commitment to Starlink
The Quebec government has made significant financial commitments to Starlink, with subsidies reportedly rising from $89 million to $136 million in just under a year. This investment aims to fulfill the promise of connecting all households in the province to high-speed internet. Bélanger noted that demand has exceeded expectations, although the actual number of installed kits currently stands at around 10,000.
While Starlink is the primary provider for high-speed satellite internet, other providers such as Kuiper, Xplore, and Strigo are also available in Quebec. However, Bélanger asserts that Starlink remains the only viable solution for high-speed access from low Earth orbit satellites at this time.
Under the current agreement with Starlink, residents can access transmission equipment at no cost and enjoy a preferential monthly subscription rate for high-speed internet, ensuring that even the most remote communities can stay connected until the contract concludes in 2025.