TORONTO — Ontario is increasing funding to ensure more people in First Nations and rural communities can access free, reliable internet through their local libraries, part of a broader effort to close the province’s digital divide.
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming announced $660,000 in funding under the Internet Connectivity Grant program, including a $78,000 increase this year. The expansion will allow 30 additional public libraries to join, ensuring all First Nation public libraries and four more rural libraries receive full reimbursement for internet costs. Officials say the move secures dependable digital access in communities where service is often limited or unaffordable.
“Public libraries are a vital hub in any community that connects people to learning, culture and one another,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “This increased funding will ensure dependable access to essential digital tools and resources in communities across the province. By supporting public libraries, we are protecting community spaces that empower people of all ages to learn and develop the skills they need to succeed.”
Libraries as Digital Lifelines
Libraries in Ontario have long served as more than book-lending institutions. For many, they are community lifelines offering tutoring, homework assistance, job training, language learning, and even critical social connections.
Data from the Toronto Public Libraries’ 2023–24 Impact of Technology Services in Ontario Libraries Report shows that reliance on library internet is particularly acute in northern Ontario, where nearly one in three residents without home internet turn to their local branch for remote education, job searches, and other essential online services.
“Public libraries are essential access points for high-speed internet, particularly in small, rural, and First Nations communities where subscription costs are high and at-home service is limited or unavailable,” said Michelle Arbuckle, Executive Director of the Ontario Library Association. “We thank the Ontario Government for expanding the Internet Connectivity Grant, which will ensure more Ontarians can connect close to home, giving them the tools they need for education, entrepreneurship, and job readiness—no matter where in Ontario they live.”
Building on Previous Investments
Since its launch in 2018, the Internet Connectivity Grant program has distributed more than $4.3 million to public libraries across Ontario. The province says these investments are essential for advancing education, employment readiness, and digital equity.
“Accessible and reliable internet elevates education, economic opportunities, and community connection,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation. “In expanding the Internet Connectivity Grant, we are ensuring that all First Nation public libraries can continue providing this critical service at no cost to their communities.”
The government has paired the program with a series of related investments. In 2020–21, $4.85 million was directed through the Connecting Public Libraries initiative to upgrade broadband at about 55 branches in underserved areas, including three First Nations libraries. Thirty-eight of those sites have been upgraded, with more scheduled later this year.
Funding has also flowed to operating supports. In 2024, an additional $1.25 million annually was provided through the First Nation Salary Supplement (FNSS) and Public Library Operating Grant (PLOG) to help sustain staffing and services in First Nation libraries. Altogether, the government has committed more than $28 million to the library sector in 2024–25.
Sector Endorsement
The expansion has drawn praise from library advocates, who argue that consistent and affordable digital access is a cornerstone of modern community development.
“The Federation of Ontario Public Libraries applauds the Ontario Government taking action to extend eligibility for the Internet Connectivity Grant to more Ontario public libraries,” said Dina Stevens, Executive Director of the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries. “This grant funding is critical to ensuring that public libraries serving rural and Northern Ontario, as well as First Nations, can provide residents in these communities with accessible, reliable broadband internet connectivity. Public libraries are proud to be an important partner in fulfilling Ontario’s goal of making high speed internet accessible in every community.”
Closing the Connectivity Gap
While Ontario’s long-term goal is universal access to high-speed internet, officials acknowledge that gaps remain in remote and rural areas. With subscription costs high and private-sector rollout uneven, public libraries often serve as the only point of access.
By extending eligibility and increasing support, the province says it aims to ensure that no community is left behind in the digital economy. The Internet Connectivity Grant’s continued expansion reflects a strategy not just to provide service, but to enable education, job creation, and long-term economic opportunity for small and rural communities.
