OTTAWA — Through a partnership with several of Canada’s telecom providers, the federal government is reaching out to Canadians living or travelling abroad via text messages containing contact information for Global Affairs Canada consular support in response to the global COVID-19 outbreak. A sample of one is pictured below.
Beginning Wednesday, Rogers, Bell, Telus, Videotron, Freedom Mobile, Eastlink and SaskTel will be sending their subscribers currently living or travelling abroad text messages containing consular support information and key contact information.
“I am pleased that Canada’s telecommunications service providers have acted quickly to help Canadians as they take steps to answer the call for social distancing. The measure announced today builds on various steps already taken by Canada’s telecommunications service providers to help consumers and ensure service remains uninterrupted. The Government is looking to help them now and will ensure 
Canadians abroad receive important Global Affairs Canada information directly to their devices during this critical period,” said Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, in the news release.
In the release, the federal government acknowledged the support provided by Canada’s telecom industry as the country responds to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Canada’s telecommunications system remains strong and is prepared to handle increased demand nationally, in part because of measures put in place related to COVID-19. The Government of Canada recognizes that telecommunications providers, including field workers who repair networks and staff at stores who repair phones and communications devices, are providing essential services to Canadians,” reads the news release.
“The Government would like to thank employees in the telecommunications industry for their continued hard work to ensure that Canada’s networks remain strong and resilient, enabling the work-from-home economy while we all do our part to flatten the curve of COVID-19,” concludes the release.
