Schools are closed.
People are staying home.
The low in Edmonton tomorrow is -13 Celsius.
Welcome to Canadaronavirus-19.
Earlier this week, I wrote a guide for families who need internet access with schools closed in the US.
Fewer Canadians need this service, and the options aren't quite so plentiful, but here's what I've found so far.
According to Statcan, 94 percent of Canadians have home internet access.
But that access may not be fast enough for multiple kids doing school Zoom conferences, or it may not be affordable.
Canadian ISPs are not stepping up the way US cable providers are, to offer free service in many major cities for 60 days.
They are, however, generally lifting residential data caps on wired home internet connections so you can use as much internet as you need to keep your family occupied and educated.
Free Wi-Fi Hotspots Across Canada
If you don't have fast home internet and live in a relatively urban area, there may be a Wi-Fi hotspot nearby.
Bell, Telus, and TBayTel have had networks of hotspots available to everyone for years, and Shaw just opened up its "Shaw Go" Wi-Fi network to non-subscribers.
Find the Shaw Go map here and the Telus hotspot map here.
Bell hotspots are in Indigo, McDonald's, and Tim Horton's locations, even if they're closed.
Your city or town may also offer broad, citywide Wi-Fi service.
Here's a list of cities and towns across Canada with municipal Wi-Fi.
If you're not quite close enough to the hotspot to get Wi-Fi, consider a long-range Wi-Fi antenna.
You can find them on Amazon.ca starting at about $25 if you search for "long range Wi-Fi adapter." I haven't tested these products, but you're looking for something like this one or this one.
If you're handy, you can build your own "cantenna" to extend your PC's Wi-Fi range.
I have a friend who successfully hit a library Wi-Fi hotspot a block away using one of these.
It takes some tools and DIY know-how, though.
Google "build a Wi-Fi cantenna" for more details.
Low-Cost Internet for Low-Income Canadians
Several programs offer low-cost home internet to low-income Canadian families.
- Telus' "Internet for Good" offers $9.95/month internet to Canadians nationwide who receive child benefit and have incomes under $31,120 per year.
Find more details here or email [email protected] with a photo of your 2018 Canada Child Benefit statement showing your income.
- Rogers' "Connected for Success" plan partners with non-profit and low-income housing providers in Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland & Labrador to offer $9.99/month home internet to their tenants.
Check on this web page to see if you live in an eligible complex.
If you do, apply here.
- Connecting Families is a Federal program to connect families who receive the maximum Canada Child Benefit for under $10/month, but you need to have received a pre-qualification letter to participate.
If you think you may be eligible but have not received a letter, try calling 800-328-6189 and asking about the Connecting Families initiative.
