Canadian Cellphone and Internet Plan Rules Are Changing in June

Key Takeaways 

• Starting June 12, 2026, telecom providers cannot charge you to activate, change, or cancel a cellphone or home internet plan. 

• Providers must now notify you before a promotional rate ends and when your roaming charges reach $50. 

• By April 26, 2027, all providers must let you cancel or change your plan online, through an app, or by email. 

• If you are on a subsidized-device contract (where your provider discounted the cost of your phone), some cancellation costs tied to the device may still apply. 

Some Cellphone and Internet Fees Going Away on June 12 

Canadians pay some of the highest cellphone and internet fees in the world. Until now, some wireless service providers charge not just for the actual phone and internet services you use, but also for setting up or changing your plan and an exit or cancelling fee for ending a contract. Starting June 12, these activation, cancellation, and plan change fees will go away. 

According to CRTC, those fees discourage people from shopping around for better, more affordable plans. By removing these fees, the regulator hopes to promote healthy competition among wireless service providers. 

Activation Fees 

This is a one-time fee charged when you sign up for a new cellphone or internet plan. According to the CRTC, they typically range from $30 to $80 per line. For a family of four each getting a new phone plan, that is up to $320 in fees before the first bill even arrives. As of June 12, providers cannot charge this fee. So, if you are a newcomer getting your first Canadian internet or cellphone plan after that date, that is some extra money in your pocket. 

Providers can still charge reasonable fees for any physical installation that is required (such as running a cable or setting up a connection in your home). They can also charge for any optional add-ons that you explicitly choose to purchase. 

Cancellation Fees 

Until now, if you wanted to leave a provider, some charged a fee for cancelling the contract. Early cancellation fees will now be banned. There is one exception: If you signed a contract where your provider subsidized the cost of your phone (for example, a $1,000 phone offered at $0 upfront in exchange for a two-year term), you may still owe the remaining balance on that device if you leave early. Device financing balances are separate from the cancellation fees. 

Plan Change Fees 

Some providers also charge a fee if you want to upgrade or downgrade your plan with the same company. This makes it more expensive to respond to a better deal. This fee, too, will no longer be permitted after June 12. 

You Will Now Be Notified Before Your Plan Changes 

One of the most common sources of bill shock in Canada is when a promotional rate expires. You sign up for $45 per month for the first year, and then month 13 arrives and your bill jumps to $70. You may not even notice until you check your statement, or an automatic payment is deducted from your account. 

Under CRTC rules announced in April 2026, providers must now notify you before a promotional period or contract term ends, so you have time to decide what to do next. They must also send you a notification when your roaming data charges reach $50, giving you the chance to manage your usage before the bill climbs higher.

These notifications must also include a list of available plans and information on how to switch. The goal is to make sure you are making an informed choice about your service. 

You Will Be Able to Cancel Your Plan Online by 2027 

Right now, most providers offer two ways to cancel a cellphone plan. The simplest one is to switch to a new provider and let them handle the cancellation and number porting. If you want to cancel a phone plan without switching to a new provider, you will typically need to call your provider. That call can be long, and providers are allowed to use it as an opportunity to make you a counteroffer before processing your request. 

By April 26, 2027, all providers will be required to let you cancel or modify your plan through a free self-service option — an app, a website, or email — without speaking to anyone. They will also have to send you written confirmation once it is done. 

Many providers already offer some online account management tools, but the ability to cancel without calling is not yet standard. Over the next year, this will change and you will have more self-service options. 

What Pushed CRTC to Change Phone Plan Fee Rules 

Between 2024 and 2025, telecom complaints in Canada rose 17 percent, with billing issues being the leading cause. 

In October 2025, amendments to Canada’s Telecommunications Act required the CRTC to introduce new consumer protections. These new rules were announced by CRTC after public consultations in 2024 and early 2025. 

Since the announcements, the industry has been pushing back. The Canadian Telecommunications Association called the fee ban an unwarranted intervention, arguing that activation fees cover actual costs and that removing them will push those costs into higher monthly rates. 

What This Means for You 

If you have been thinking about getting a new Canadian phone plan or switching providers, waiting until after June 12 means you avoid paying an activation fee. That delay alone could save you $30 to $80 per line. 

After June 12, if a provider tries to charge you a banned fee, you have options: 

• First, contact your provider directly to dispute it.  

• If they refuse to remove the fee, you can file a complaint with the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services (CCTS), the independent body that handles disputes between consumers and telecom companies. 

It is also worth checking your current plan now. If you are on a promotional rate, find out when it expires. Your provider is now required to notify you before it ends, but knowing in advance gives you more time to compare options.