Toronto’s Expanded Free Public Wi-Fi Strategy

Have your say and help inform the City of Toronto’s Expanded Free Public Wi-Fi Strategy. Complete the survey and/or participate in a public consultation. Torontonians can share their experiences and feedback until June 21, 2024
Complete the Survey

 

The City will be conducting public consultations to inform an expanded Free Public Wi-Fi Strategy, as directed by City Council. In-person and online public consultations are being held throughout May and June 2024. More details will be available soon.

The goal of these public consultations is to answer several key questions including:

  • How do you use free public Wi-Fi in City of Toronto spaces?
  • Which City spaces would you want or need access to free public Wi-Fi?
  • What actions should the City do first to help Torontonians enhance the experience of getting online?

In-Person Consultations

  • Tuesday, June 4, 2 – 4 p.m.
    Driftwood Community Recreation Centre​
    4401 Jane St., North York, ON M3N 2K3
  • Thursday, June 13, 6 – 8 p.m.
    Heron Park Community Centre​
    292 Manse Rd., Scarborough, ON M1E 3V4

Virtual Consultations

  • Thursday, May 30, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, June 18, 1 – 2 p.m.

        Free public Wi-Fi refers to wireless internet provided by the City in City-owned and operated buildings. The City currently offers free public Wi-Fi at more than 100 locations across Toronto through its ConnectTO Program. To date, locations have been selected and prioritized based on equity-first criteria and research findings related to Toronto’s digital divide.

        One of the ways the City is working towards a digitally equitable Toronto is by offering free Wi-Fi in publicly accessible spaces owned or operated by the City to ensure connectivity for Torontonians most in need.

        The digital divide refers to the gap that exists between those who have affordable internet access and the skills to use modern information and communication technology and those who do not.

        While internet speed, affordability, quality, and household access to internet-enabled devices are important factors that help understand why certain populations do not have access to the internet, socioeconomic factors of income, age, and race are also important factors that help explain the digital divide. Source: Mapping Toronto’s Digital Divide

        The City’s expanded free public Wi-Fi strategy outlines a proposed framework and actions to increase the number of places offering free Wi-Fi and to enhance the experience of getting online throughout Toronto.

        an illustrative image showing 4 steps to the City of Toronto's public Wi-Fi Strategy. Universal public access, digital equality, user experience, and innovation and culture.

        The strategy will outline immediate actions that the City and our City divisional partners can implement and guide long-term planning directions and decisions for future recommended actions.

        As part of the Expanded Free Public Wi-Fi Strategy, some of the proposed actions that the City is considering include but are not limited to:

        • Provide Wi-Fi at all publicly accessible City owned/operated buildings (i.e. civic centres, resource centres, recreation centres).
        • Expand community librarian program in partnership with Toronto Public Library to offer service at all Wi-Fi locations on a rotational basis.
        • Provide free Wi-Fi and devices to access internet in shelters and warming/cooling centres.
        • Provide Wi-Fi in all City-owned/operated long-term care homes.
        • Develop a one-stop web page with information and resources such as low-cost internet service providers, troubleshooting and support.
        • Display physical signage with information on how to connect at all locations.
        • Commit to quality of service (upload and download speeds) to ensure user needs and expectations are met.
        • Publish ongoing survey to monitor user satisfaction and identify areas for improvement.

        Plan with Our Engagement Community

        We are working with engagement experts and practitioners across the City to develop our consultation approach and questions to best reflect the voices of those with lived experiences in the digital divide. We will be incorporating best practices to gather direct feedback from key stakeholders including internal City partners and organizations, community members, and Council Advisory Bodies.

        Engage with Our Peers

        We are having one-on-one discussions with various City divisions, agencies, and corporations who share similar goals and strategies related to connectivity across Toronto.

        Community-led Discussions

        Through the months of April and May 2024, we are engaging with community organizations and anti-poverty groups with lived experience in the digital divide to understand their unique challenges, uncover additional opportunities to help alleviate challenges, and seek feedback on how the City thinks about free public Wi-Fi.

        Online Survey

        Between the months of April and June 2024, input will be collected from the following audiences through a short survey:

        • City of Toronto Divisions, Agencies, and Corporations
        • Technology Community
        • Advocacy groups
        • Community Organizations
        • Council Advisory Bodies
        • Members of the General Public

        All are welcome to have your say in shaping Toronto’s Wi-Fi strategy. Take the survey by June 21, 2024.

        Physical copies of the survey are available: