Quebec Declines to Find a Match for Starlink, Awards New Contract Instead
In a move that contrasts with Ontario's decision, Quebec has proceeded with a contract to install SpaceX's Starlink internet in remote courthouses, despite escalating trade tensions between Canada and the U.S.
The contract, worth $826,000 CAD, was awarded to an Alberta company, which will install Starlink antennas and provide monthly service. This move comes three years after Quebec awarded a similar $130-million CAD deal to expand high-speed internet access in rural areas using Starlink, and that work is now complete.
Quebec's decision was made despite rising trade tensions between Canada and the U.S., as 25% U.S. tariffs were imposed on Canadian goods. However, the Quebec government viewed the project as essential for maintaining access to justice in underserved regions.
In contrast, Ontario Premier Doug Ford cancelled a similar $100-million Starlink contract to connect rural communities. Ford described the tariffs as an economic attack, and Musk’s ties to the Trump administration influenced the decision to cancel and pay a negotiated fee to exit the contract.
Eutelsat, after merging with OneWeb, now has low-Earth orbit satellites but primarily deals with telecom and enterprise customers. Professor Julian Karaguesian, an economics professor at McGill and former federal trade official, has suggested considering alternatives to Starlink, such as Europe-based Eutelsat. However, Starlink has an advantage over Eutelsat due to its direct-to-consumer model and the constant refreshing of satellites with new technology.
It's important to note that Starlink is the only system that meets the performance needs of Quebec's Circuit Court. The system is vertically integrated, as it can launch its own satellites and also manages and creates its own software for both dishes and satellites, providing a better customer experience.
The Justice Department is still exploring other options, but no new information about this has been released. Ontario's Coalition Avenir Québec MNA Gilles Bélanger stated in February that the province is working with Ottawa to develop Canadian alternatives to reduce dependence on Starlink.
References: [1] CBC News. (2025, March 1). Ontario cancels $100M Starlink contract for rural broadband, citing U.S. tariffs. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-starlink-cancelled-1.6375367
[2] CBC News. (2025, March 2). Quebec proceeds with Starlink internet contract for courthouses in remote areas despite U.S. tariffs. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-proceeds-with-starlink-internet-contract-for-courthouses-in-remote-areas-despite-u-s-tariffs-1.6375366
- Quebec's decision to install SpaceX's Starlink internet in remote courthouses, despite escalating trade tensions, showcases their commitment to science and technology, specifically in the area of space-and-astronomy, to maintain access to justice in underserved regions.
- Despite the possibility of considering alternatives such as Europe-based Eutelsat, Starlink's advantage of using a direct-to-consumer model and constant integration of new technology makes it the only system that satisfies the performance needs of Quebec's Circuit Court, highlighting the significance of science, space-and-astronomy, and technology in this context.
