City of Toronto has reached a milestone in the City’s work to close the digital divide with free, City-provided public wifi now available in more than 250 locations across the Canadian city. 

Deputy mayor Ausma Malik, City of Toronto staff and Toronto Public Library (TPL) celebrated the achievement in Digital Inclusion Week, which is taking place until Saturday 11 October.

Bridging the digital divide

Since its launch in 2021, ConnectTO has helped bridge the digital divide by delivering free public wifi to a wide range of locations including community recreation centres, arenas, civic buildings and public squares. 

Eighty-nine per cent of the wifi sites are located in Toronto’s Neighbourhood Improvement Areas – communities identified as facing economic and social challenges – and Emerging Neighbourhoods which are rapidly growing areas with increasing needs for infrastructure and services.

“Providing free public wifi is a meaningful step toward a more inclusive and connected Toronto”

Digital Inclusion Week highlights the growing importance of equitable digital access, literacy and inclusion in a world where access to technology shapes how residents and visitors live, work, learn and connect. 

New signage will make it easier for residents and visitors to identify wifi-enabled public spaces throughout the city.