I thank all fellow Canadians who have spared their time and efforts to sign this petition in solidarity so far and urge everyone else to sign it. 

As the US tariffs slapped on Canadian goods became effective from today, it is all the more clear that Canadians need to opt for, and act towards, building our sustainable and self-reliant future as a "Stronger North". Towards that direction, reviewing on one point about cellphone (smartphone) service and its high cost in the vast geography of Canada may be relevant.

In 2021, households across all income quintiles in Canada spent an average of approximately $109 per month on cell phone and pager services, accounting for 1.8% of total monthly expenditures after tax (Source: Statistics Canada). While this may seem like a small fraction of overall living expenses, mobile phones were once considered a luxury, if not entirely unaffordable, until they became a daily necessity due to the growing demands of modern life.

Even in one of the world’s poorest countries, such as Nepal, mobile phones have become an essential part of daily life for nearly everyone, including youth, adults, and seniors. Yet, in Canada, mobile service remains disproportionately expensive. Why is this the case in a developed country?

A key reason is Canada’s vast geography and its population coverage. The country spans an enormous landmass, 68 times larger than Nepal, yet its population is only 1.25 times greater. This geographic grandeur requires significant infrastructure investment to provide civic amenities such as mobile phone coverage across sparsely populated regions across the country. Some registered towns and villages in Canada have fewer than 10 residents, particularly in northern and remote areas, where population density is extremely low. Ensuring that all Canadians, regardless of location, have access to telecommunications services requires costly infrastructure, which contributes to the high cost of mobile service.

For long-term economic and social sustainability, Canada must consider regional development strategies that encourage the growth of vibrant northern and rural cities. If well-planned urban hubs, such as the proposed new regional cities, were developed progressively toward the north, two key benefits could emerge:

1. Increased migration from more isolated areas to population centers: More people might choose to move to these regional centers due to better job opportunities, infrastructure, and amenities.

2. Lower costs for goods and services: As population density increases, services like cellphone coverage could become more affordable for all Canadians due to economies of scale.

Ultimately, cellphones are just one example of essential services that should be made more accessible and affordable. A planned approach to balanced population distribution facilitated with needed infrastructure development could help ensure that all citizens, regardless of location, can fully enjoy Canada’s economic advantage and social progress.