Question Period Note: Public Safety Broadband Network

• Canada’s public safety community faces significant interoperability challenges and relies on outdated communications technologies that do not meet the requirements of today and tomorrow’s emergency response.
• A nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (PSBN) would provide a secure, resilient, and interoperable communications platform for responders, and enable new technologies and applications that enhance emergency response.

• Effective communications in times of emergency and during day-to-day operations are critical to improve the safety of first responders, help save lives, and keep communities safe.

• Advancing a Public Safety Broadband Network continues to be a federal, provincial, and territorial emergency management priority and significant collaborative work has been undertaken in partnership with the public safety community.

• In Summer 2024, Public Safety Canada led a consultation to inform the development of a governance framework for a nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network. The department recently published its Report. Stakeholders welcomed the consultation and emphasized the importance of this next step.

• The Government of Canada will continue to work closely with stakeholders to bolster our readiness and keep Canadians and their communities safe.

Recent steps taken to enable the creation of a Public Safety Broadband Network
• On May 19, 2017, the Government of Canada committed $3 million to engage stakeholders and analyze options for implementing and governing a PSBN in Canada. Stakeholders identified governance as a critical priority.
• In May 2018, a Temporary National Coordination Office (TNCO) was established with a two-year mandate to develop national options and recommendations for a future PSBN, supported by research, analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
• On March 17, 2022, Federal, Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Ministers responsible for Emergency Management released the TNCO’s report, "A Public Safety Broadband Network for Canada: A Canadian Approach to Implementation of the Next Generation of Public Safety Communications." The report recommended a nationwide, interoperable PSBN and emphasized collaboration across all levels of government, industry, and first responders.
• Following the 2022 Rogers network outage, Minister Champagne committed to working with stakeholders to support the operationalization of a PSBN as part of the Telecommunications Reliability Agenda.
• On June 28, 2023, FPT Ministers discussed the continued development of a PSBN with a coordinated pan-Canadian approach, focusing on establishing a governance framework. The Government of Canada committed to launching targeted engagement to support this work.
• From August 6 to October 8, 2024, Public Safety Canada conducted targeted engagement to inform the governance framework for a nationwide PSBN.
• On March 6, 2025, Public Safety Canada published "Building Consensus: A Governance Framework for a Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (PSBN) – What We Heard Report." This report outlines key themes and findings from the engagement and next steps for realizing a PSBN in Canada.

If Pressed
Q1- If Pressed on Government Inaction and Funding for a Public Safety Broadband Network
• Federal decisions are needed to advance a Public Safety Broadband Network (PSBN) in Canada. This includes decisions around funding.
• The Government of Canada is working diligently to secure the necessary mandate to support the realization of a PSBN. Collaboration between governments and the public safety community will continue to be fundamental to the success of a future PSBN.
• At this time, the federal government has not committed funding for a PSBN. The Government of Canada is not in a position to commit to timelines for these decisions, or what the nature of these decisions would be.
• The success and financial viability of a PSBN is dependent on the widespread adoption by public safety users, as well as provincial and territorial commitment and leadership.
Q2- If Pressed on the Government’s next steps and why it is taking a long time
• The key next step to realizing a nationwide PSBN in Canada is to put in place a governance framework that will designate a PSBN Authority responsible for overseeing and leading the development of the network.
• This framework will establish the form of the National PSBN Authority, its mandate and responsibilities, as well as the mechanisms for ensuring accountability, sustainability, and oversight of the network. The Government of Canada will also need to consider the regulatory and legislative framework and consider measures to support an effective PSBN implementation while maintaining an open and transparent market.
• The success and financial viability of a PSBN is dependent on the widespread adoption by public safety users, as well as provincial and territorial commitment and leadership. With a robust governance framework in place, stakeholders will have the certainty they need to plan for their involvement in supporting the realization of the PSBN in Canada.