Bell calls on Ottawa to Build, Connect and Grow Canada with smart policies
Press Release
- New campaign shows how private sector broadband investments power, transform and grow Canada’s economy
- Bell calls on the federal government and the CRTC to implement smart policies that unlock billions in private investments in critical infrastructure
MONTRÉAL, May 12, 2025 – Bell Canada today announced the launch of Build. Connect. Grow Canada., a national multimedia campaign calling on the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and the federal government to implement smart policies that will grow the economy by unlocking billions worth of private sector investments to build fibre networks.
Today, 7.8 million homes and businesses across Bell’s footprint have access to its pure fibre network. However, the CRTC has put further investment and greater connectivity at risk.
Since 2020, Bell has invested almost $23 billion to expand its pure fibre network. These high-speed networks are critical infrastructure that power Canada’s economy, support jobs and enhance connectivity for Canadian homes and businesses.
The CRTC decision allowing TELUS, Rogers and Bell to resell on each other’s fibre networks undermines the business case for further investment in new network builds, jeopardizing billions of dollars that companies are ready to invest to expand high-speed Internet for Canadians.
As a result of the CRTC policy, Bell has revised its fibre build target down by 1.5 million locations and cut capital expenditures by $500 million this year alone.
Less private investment means fewer jobs along Bell’s supply chain, diminished network resilience and fewer Canadians getting access to the world’s best Internet technology, particularly in rural, remote and Indigenous communities – at a time when Canada can least afford it.
Reversing the CRTC’s policy will eliminate regulatory uncertainty and unlock billions worth of nation-building investments that are critical to transform and protect Canada’s economy.
To learn more about the Build. Connect. Grow Canada. campaign, visit BCE.ca/Build (opens in new window) .
“For 145 years, Bell has helped build, connect and grow Canada. We are more than just a communications company, we are builders of Canada’s critical infrastructure – a crucial foundation for economic growth and national security. As Canada faces threats to its economy and sovereignty, it is more important than ever to encourage investment from strong Canadian companies like Bell that want to build, connect and grow Canada. We are calling on the CRTC and federal government to implement smart policies that will unlock billions in private sector investment that keeps Canada’s networks strong while powering, transforming, and growing our economy.”
– Robert Malcolmson, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal & Regulatory Officer
- According to a recent survey of 4,000 Canadians by spark* advocacy, 79% of Canadians agree that allowing large players like TELUS and Bell to resell each others’ networks won’t increase price competition but will decrease investment in building bigger and better broadband networks.1
- The same survey found that 74% of Canadians agree that if we remove the incentive for a company to build a network, Canada will end up worse off in the long run.2
Bell is Canada’s largest communications company,3 providing advanced broadband Internet, wireless, TV, media and business communication services. Founded in Montréal in 1880, Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca.
Through Bell for Better (opens in new window) , we are investing to create a better today and a better tomorrow by supporting the social and economic prosperity of our communities. This includes the Bell Let’s Talk initiative, which promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let’s Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives throughout the country. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
Media inquiries
Media@bell.ca (opens in new window)
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