As a result of their deliberations, committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission consider not only broadband speed, but also other indicators in its targets. These indicators could include, but not be limited to, standards of parity between urban and rural centers, network performance, purchased consumer packages, latency and redundancy.

Recommendation 2

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission consider regularly reviewing its target broadband speeds (currently set at 50 megabits per second download and 10 megabits per second upload) to ensure they remain relevant with technological development and international standards, and publish their findings in their annual report on the telecommunications sector.

Recommendation 3

The Government of Canada integrate broadband accessibility issues such as affordability and digital literacy in rural Canada within federal programs.

Recommendation 4

The Government of Canada take steps to address the challenges of small providers, non-profit providers, and non-incumbent providers of accessing existing infrastructures for the purpose of deploying broadband access, including easements, real servitudes, especially in regards to utility poles. Such measures could include legislative amendments, when feasible, in collaboration with provincial governments.

Recommendation 5

The Government of Canada consider ways to encourage the integration of broadband deployment within all infrastructure renewal programs.

Recommendation 6

The Government of Canada consider the spectrum allocation process for the purpose of broadband deployment. More specifically, it should focus on the scope of licences, pricing, and effective use of allocated spectrum, including ensuring that small providers, non-profit providers, and non-incumbent providers have reasonable access to spectrum for broadband deployment.

Recommendation 7

The Government of Canada consider ways to further encourage non-traditional network operators to apply for federal funding, including, but not limited to, cooperatives, non-profits, partnerships, and local governments.

Recommendation 8

The Government of Canada consider ways to increase the accessibility of funding programs for small providers, non-profit providers, and non-incumbent providers. This may include various means, such as simplifying the application and reporting process for these providers.

Recommendation 9

The Government of Canada ensure funding programs support both backbone and “last-mile” infrastructure, and remain technology neutral.

Recommendation 10

The Government of Canada incentivize and encourage investments and partnerships for broadband deployment in rural and remote regions.

Recommendation 11

Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada develop a comprehensive rural broadband strategy in collaboration with key stakeholders including, but not limited to, all levels of government, civil society, Internet services providers, First Nations, and non-profit organizations.

Recommendation 12

The Government of Canada consider new ways of collecting service and performance data in addition to the speed of Internet services, including, but not limited to, adding new indicators, using local knowledge, and reconsidering the conclusions drawn from the current hexagonal mapping system.