Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced on September 24, 2026 that the province is terminating its agreement with Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX subsidiary. The cancellation follows a public vote in which residents expressed a preference for ending the contract, according to the premier's statement.
The original deal was signed amid a trade dispute with the United States and was intended to bring satellite broadband to locations across Ontario that lack reliable connectivity. By leveraging Starlink's low‑earth‑orbit constellation, the government had hoped to supplement existing infrastructure and improve internet access for remote communities.
Ford said the outcome of the public vote directly informed the decision to withdraw from the agreement, emphasizing the importance of aligning government actions with citizen sentiment. The premier did not provide additional details on the next steps for broadband development in the province, but indicated that the government will continue to explore alternative solutions.
Elon Musk and SpaceX have not issued a response to the cancellation at the time of reporting. The termination of the contract marks a shift in Ontario's approach to addressing connectivity gaps, moving away from a partnership that was originally framed as a rapid response to the trade‑related challenges faced by the province.
The decision arrives as Ontario continues to grapple with the broader implications of the U.S. trade dispute that prompted the original agreement. While the cancellation removes the immediate prospect of Starlink‑provided service, provincial officials have signaled that they remain committed to expanding high‑speed internet access through other channels.
Stakeholders, including municipal leaders and industry groups, are expected to monitor the fallout from the cancellation and assess how the province will meet its broadband objectives without the Starlink partnership.