Paul Connors
Avalon, Newfoundland and Labrador · Liberal · Canada
“That means encouraging deployment in underserved areas, improving rural coverage obligations and making sure that carriers are accountable for delivering real service.”
“Connectivity also plays a critical role in education. In recent years, we have seen a major expansion of online and hybrid learning. Students can now attend classes, complete assignments and access resources from anywhere if they have reliable connectivity, but in rural communities, students face difficult challenges.”
“We are told we are fully covered and connected, but in reality, residents experience dropped calls, dead zones and unreliable service daily. In some homes, people have to walk from room to room to try to find a signal. This is not connectivity. We need to rethink how we define and measure cellular connectivity in Canada.”
“In today's economy, nearly every business relies on reliable Internet and cellular service. Small businesses in rural communities are especially vulnerable. When connectivity fails, payment systems stop, debit and ATM machines do not work and online orders do not get processed. In many cases, customers no longer carry cash.”
“We cannot accept a situation where schools or families cannot connect when it matters most. Part of the broader challenge we face relates to how we manage and allocate the communications spectrum in this country. The spectrum is the invisible infrastructure that powers wireless communication. It is the foundation of cellular networks.”
“In moments of crisis, cellular connectivity is not about convenience. It is about safety. It can be the difference between getting help and being cut off. In remote and rural regions with long distances between towns or during harsh weather, reliable cellular service is not optional. It is essential to protecting lives.”
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“It is essential to safety, it is essential to opportunities and it is essential to ensuring that no community is left behind. I am proud to support this bill.”
“That requires commitment and it requires a clear understanding of where the gaps truly are. That is why Bill C-268 is so important. It is not the final solution, but it is a necessary step forward. It would help us better understand the reality on the ground and help us measure what truly matters. It would guide us toward more effective policies and investments. Most importantly, it would allow us to reaffirm a simple but powerful message. When we say we are connecting Canadians, we mean all Canadians, no matter where they live, no matter how remote their community is and no matter the challenges they face. Canadians deserve reliable connectivity, not just in cities, but in every town, every community and every region in the country, because in today's world, connectivity is not optional.”
“That means encouraging deployment in underserved areas, improving rural coverage obligations and making sure that carriers are accountable for delivering real service. Satellite-based connectivity has made some considerable progress in recent years and helped bring services to some remote areas, but these solutions are still evolving and the costs can be high for individuals and families. Technology will be part of the solution, but it cannot replace the need for strong and reliable wireless infrastructure. For too long, rural Canadians have felt like they are at the back of the line. They do not expect to be first, but they expect to be included. Right now, too many feel like they are still waiting to be part of it. Urban Canada has seen major improvements in connectivity. Now it is time to ensure that rural Canada is not left behind.”
“We cannot accept a situation where schools or families cannot connect when it matters most. Part of the broader challenge we face relates to how we manage and allocate the communications spectrum in this country. The spectrum is the invisible infrastructure that powers wireless communication. It is the foundation of cellular networks. Decisions about spectrum, how it is allocated, who can access it and under what conditions have a direct impact on connectivity outcomes. Too often, the development of the spectrum is prioritized in densely populated urban areas, where returns on investment are highest. That is understandable from a market perspective, but it leaves rural communities behind. We need to ensure that the communications spectrum policy in Canada supports equitable access, not just profitable access.”
“Connectivity also plays a critical role in education. In recent years, we have seen a major expansion of online and hybrid learning. Students can now attend classes, complete assignments and access resources from anywhere if they have reliable connectivity, but in rural communities, students face difficult challenges. Students may be forced to leave their hometown to pursue their education. Others may fall behind simply because they cannot access their coursework all the time. Schools may lack the infrastructure needed to fully integrate technology into the classroom. Beyond learning, there are also safety concerns. In rural areas, students often travel long distances by bus. Sometimes, they travel for more than an hour. If an emergency occurs, whether it is weather-related, medical or otherwise, reliable communication is essential.”
“In today's economy, nearly every business relies on reliable Internet and cellular service. Small businesses in rural communities are especially vulnerable. When connectivity fails, payment systems stop, debit and ATM machines do not work and online orders do not get processed. In many cases, customers no longer carry cash. If the system is down, the sales are lost. For seasonal businesses, like those in the tourism sector, any Internet or cellular downtime means a loss in revenue, and it does not take long for those losses to build up. (1810) Without reliable service, businesses struggle to grow, attract customers and compete. This is one of the reasons why people are often pushed toward the urban centres. It is not because they want to leave their communities, but because the infrastructure they need is simply not there.”
“We are told we are fully covered and connected, but in reality, residents experience dropped calls, dead zones and unreliable service daily. In some homes, people have to walk from room to room to try to find a signal. This is not connectivity. We need to rethink how we define and measure cellular connectivity in Canada. It is not enough to say a community is covered. We must ensure that the service is reliable, dependable and high-quality. This is exactly what Bill C-268 would play a key role in doing. This bill would help establish a framework to measure cellular connectivity across Canada. It would give us data to guide us in decision-making as we work to close the connectivity gap. That matters, because without accurate information, we cannot build effective solutions. Improving connectivity is also about economic opportunities.”
“In moments of crisis, cellular connectivity is not about convenience. It is about safety. It can be the difference between getting help and being cut off. In remote and rural regions with long distances between towns or during harsh weather, reliable cellular service is not optional. It is essential to protecting lives. This brings us to a critical point. We often hear that 97%, 98% or 99% of Canadians have access to cellular service, but we must ask what access really means. Does it mean just one bar? Does it mean a strong, reliable service? Does it mean being able to make a call without it dropping? Does it mean running a business, attending school or calling 911 without interruptions? In my hometown of Conception Bay South and throughout many communities in my riding, connectivity exists on paper.”
“I do not mean just access on paper, but a real, dependable, working service in their everyday lives. This is especially true for rural and remote communities, like many of the communities I represent in Avalon. I want to take a moment to make this real. Imagine that someone is at home and a wildfire suddenly breaks out nearby. They gather their loved ones and prepare to leave. They reach for their phone to call their neighbours, family, friends or emergency services, and there is no signal. They get in their car and drive away, but there is still no signal. They drive 10, 15 or 20 minutes, until, finally, they get a signal, but there is only one bar. This is not hypothetical. This was the reality for many residents across the Avalon Peninsula during the summer wildfires last year.”
“Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to rise today on behalf of the people of Avalon to speak to Bill C-268 , the spectrum policy framework for Canada act. I would like to begin by thanking the member for Compton—Stanstead for bringing this legislation forward. Her work highlights an issue that affects Canadians in every region of the country, especially those living in rural and remote areas. Cellular connectivity in Canada is no longer a luxury. It is essential. It connects us to our families and friends, it connects businesses to their customers, it connects students to their education and it connects Canadians to vital services, including emergency services. Quite simply, cellular connectivity connects Canadians to opportunity, yet many Canadians still do not have access to reliable cellular service.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the remarkable life of Mr. Johnny Pauls, who passed away at the age of 102. Johnny Pauls was among the last surviving veterans of the Second World War from our province. He served as a member of the merchant marines. His contributions helped secure the freedoms we continue to cherish today. Born in Rencontre East, he later moved his home to beautiful Spaniard's Bay. Johnny Pauls spent his life on the water, and in his retirement enjoyed gardening, hunting and fishing. He dedicated more than 75 years to the Royal Canadian Legion as a founding member of branch 9 in Spaniard's Bay. Today I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends and all those whose lives he has touched. May we honour his memory by striving every day to live up to his standard of service to the country and his community.”
“Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank my colleague for her commitment and dedication to getting this issue solved. In my riding of Avalon and in many ridings throughout our country, as was just highlighted so many times, cellular connectivity is very poor and in most cases does not exist. There are instances in Avalon when police officers, firefighters and other emergency responders cannot be contacted. It is a huge issue. Families also cannot communicate with each other. In today's society, people use connectivity in order to make sure we are well connected and that everyone is connected with us. How would the bill address the connectivity gaps that exist in my riding of Avalon and in other rural areas throughout Canada?”
“Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honour the life and legacy of a remarkable community leader, Mr. Thomas Kieley. Tom was a deeply respected member of our community. He dedicated his life to his community. His commitment touched every aspect of our town, from organizing the minor hockey associations to being a member of the Kiwanis Club and of the Knights of Columbus as grand knight, to name a few. Tom brought his leadership to municipal government as well. He served eight years as a councillor, including two as deputy mayor. Tom's contributions were formally recognized when he was inducted as a builder in the Conception Bay South Sports Hall of Fame. He was also awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal, honouring a lifetime of service. Tom Kieley's leadership, integrity and unwavering dedication left a lasting mark on the town he loved.”
“Mr. Speaker, Newfoundland and Labrador is strategically located to bolster Canada's defence strategy. Our new government is committed to spending 2% of GDP on defence this year and 5% by 2035. My question is very simple: Will Newfoundland and Labrador have an opportunity to play a role in the defence strategy?”
“This performance reflects not only his athletic ability but also his leadership and determination. Liam Hickey is an inspiration to athletes across Newfoundland—”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an exceptional Canadian athlete, Liam Hickey from Newfoundland and Labrador, who has proudly represented our nation as a member of the Canadian para ice hockey team at the Paralympics in Milan, Italy. Mr. Hickey has long demonstrated exceptional dedication to sport and his community. His achievements on the world stage are remarkable. He has represented Canada at both the summer and winter Paralympic Games, earned multiple medals at world championships and earned two Paralympics silver medals. His continued excellence is a testament to his skill and unwavering commitment to sport. Yesterday, team Canada celebrated its first victory at the games, with Assistant Captain Hickey contributing significantly with a goal and two assists.”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate women’s sport in Canada as we welcome the 2025 U18 women’s national hockey championship to my riding in Avalon. From November 2 to November 8, my hometown of Conception Bay South is proud to host these outstanding young athletes. The event is not only a celebration of athletic excellence but also a source of pride for the community, and it is the first time our province has hosted this prestigious event. I want to congratulate the athletes on their dedication, skill and commitment. Their commitment is paving the way for future generations of girls who dream of lacing up their skates and representing their province and their country. I ask all my colleagues to join me in cheering on these incredible athletes and celebrating the strength of women’s sport in Canada.”
“Mr. Speaker, constituents of my riding of Avalon, and the good people of Newfoundland and Labrador, were shocked to hear the Conservative member for Central Newfoundland say that the healthy meals program, which feeds 4,100 or more kids at schools in our province was “garbage”. In reality, hundreds of thousands of additional children are being fed at schools across Canada thanks to the government. I guess it is easier to say they are going to cut a program if they try to make themselves believe it does not exist. Can the secretary of state please inform my constituents of the benefits of the national school food program?”
“Mr. Speaker, the 2025 wildfire season has been the second-worst wildfire season on record, with communities across the country, including in my home province of Newfoundland and Labrador, facing devastation and thousands of Canadians forced from their homes. Can the Minister of Emergency Management give us an update and tell the House how our government supported Canadians and the wildfire response?”
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to deliver my first member statement as the member of Parliament for Avalon. I am deeply humbled by the responsibility entrusted to me. I want to take a moment to thank those who made this happen. To my family, their strength, love and support through this journey mean more than words can express. To my friends, many of whom never imagined themselves knocking on doors or making calls during a federal campaign, I thank them for stepping up and believing in me. I thank them very much. To my incredible team of volunteers, through rain, wind and even snow, their dedication never wavered. They inspired me every day. Most importantly, to the voters of Avalon, I thank them for their trust. I thank them for choosing me to be their voice.”
“Mr. Speaker, the offshore energy in Newfoundland and Labrador brings tremendous economic benefit to our province. It creates jobs, opportunity and prosperity for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. This sector has grown, with some of the strongest environmental protections in the world, ensuring economic growth alongside a healthy environment. What is the view of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources on the development of offshore energy in Newfoundland and Labrador?”