Ontario's Cancelled Starlink Deal: What It Means for Rural and First Nations Homes

Ontario's planned Starlink broadband deal is still making news a year and a half after it was cancelled. Here's the timeline and where things stand in October 2026.

Timeline

• November 2024: Ontario announces a deal with SpaceX, called ONSAT, to bring Starlink to about 15,000 homes and businesses, largely in remote First Nations and rural communities.
• March 2025: Premier Doug Ford cancels the deal amid U.S.–Canada trade tensions and criticism of Elon Musk.
• March 2026: The province confirms a confidential settlement and says it was significantly less than the $100 million contract value.
• September 2026: Ontario's public accounts for April 2025 to March 2026 make no mention of SpaceX or Starlink, and ministers defend keeping the payout secret.

What about the 15,000 homes?

Officials have said they are looking for an alternative provider for the affected communities. We didn't find a named replacement as of October 14, 2026. People in those areas can still buy Starlink or another service themselves at regular retail prices.

Frequently asked questions

How much did Ontario pay SpaceX?

The amount is confidential. The province says it was significantly less than the $100 million contract.

Can I still get Starlink in Ontario?

Yes. The cancellation only affected the provincially funded program, not private subscriptions.

Has Ontario picked a replacement?

Not one we could find as of October 14, 2026.