In 2016, the CRTC declared the Internet as an essential service for all Canadians. The CRTC mandated that every Canadian receive 50 Mbps download speed and 10 Mbps upload speed. In September 2018, the CRTC has updated their requirement to 25 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload speed.
The CRTC's reasoning for the change from 50 Mbps to 25 Mbps is understandable given the difficulty in some parts of Canada to provide this level of service until fiber and microwave backhaul services are developed.
With the CRTC's mandate of making the Internet an essential service for all of Canada, rural communities will have the financial support required to bring all Canadians into the 21st century.