Canada Cable Market Size and Forecast by Cable Type, Conductor Material, Insulation Type, Voltage Range, Installation, and Application: 2019-2033

Canada Cable Market Outlook

The Canada cable market is entering a pivotal decade of growth, fueled by unprecedented telecom and energy investments and shaped by the convergence of next-gen technologies and infrastructure resiliency mandates. As per David Gomes, Manager – Semiconductor, the sector is on track to grow at 5% CAGR during the forecast period, driven by fiber-optic deployment, coaxial upgrades, and high-voltage (HV/MV) power cable installations. Canada's telecom industry, valued at over $75 billion, continues to catalyze demand for premium-grade communication cables, as operators like Bell, Telus, and Rogers push deeper into rural broadband and urban 5G/6G densification. The government’s $3.2 billion Universal Broadband Fund—targeting 98% coverage by 2026 and universal access by 2030—has already accelerated fiber rollouts across provinces, spurring supplier competition in single-mode, armored, and ribbon cable categories.

In 2024 alone, telecom infrastructure spending surpassed $21 billion, with over $282 invested per capita—one of the highest globally—underscoring Canada’s commitment to high-speed connectivity. This trend is directly benefitting fiber-optic and hybrid cable manufacturers, particularly as ISPs prepare for data-intensive applications including AI workloads, edge computing, and smart city networks. However, regulatory shakeups, like the CRTC’s move to increase competition in broadband access, have led to investment volatility. Bell's $1.1 billion reduction in network expenditure following the ruling reflects the market’s sensitivity to policy frameworks, especially for large-scale coaxial cable deployments in legacy hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) networks.

Meanwhile, the energy transition is turbocharging demand for industrial-grade cables used in grid modernization, power transmission, and clean generation projects. Canada's Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways (SREPs) program is infusing $500 million into renewable energy projects that require extensive use of aluminum conductor steel-reinforced (ACSR), underground high-voltage cables, and weather-resistant insulations. Initiatives like the Taltson Hydro Expansion and electrification efforts in remote First Nations communities are translating into large procurement cycles for power cable suppliers. In Quebec, Hitachi Energy Canada is modernizing distribution networks using advanced cable monitoring systems and smart fault-detection sensors—a model being replicated in multiple provinces.

Ontario’s integration of the Darlington Small Modular Reactor (SMR) into its energy mix necessitates specialized cabling solutions for nuclear-grade and high-temperature environments. Similar high-capacity cable installations are in progress across British Columbia, where $156.8 million has been earmarked for electrical infrastructure improvements. Long-distance transmission plans like the Yukon-British Columbia intertie feasibility study are raising demand forecasts for extra-high voltage (EHV) cable systems and overhead line accessories. However, with projected costs above $3.2 billion, such projects also pose capital risk challenges that require multi-stakeholder funding mechanisms and supply chain assurances.

According to David Gomes, the market’s future lies in adapting to both urban fiber densification and rural power delivery. He notes that cable companies must now deliver not just product reliability but sustainability—favoring LSZH (low-smoke, zero-halogen) designs and recyclable sheathing. Indigenous partnerships are also emerging as key stakeholders in project approvals and resource access. By integrating these communities into the infrastructure economy, Canada is creating an inclusive model for responsible cable network expansion while unlocking critical mineral reserves needed for conductor manufacturing.

Industry experts predict that hybrid and composite cable technologies, like power-over-fiber and self-healing insulation systems, will dominate innovation pipelines by 2027. These cables, while niche today, hold the key to achieving Canada's dual goals of decarbonization and digital transformation. Public-private partnerships are expected to increase as the government seeks to localize manufacturing, reduce import reliance, and position the country as a cable technology hub in North America.

In essence, the Canada cable market is not merely responding to infrastructure demands—it is redefining how digital and energy futures are wired together. Executives, regulators, and investors evaluating this sector must consider a layered strategy that aligns cable technology with long-term policy, environmental, and economic resilience goals.

Authors: David Gomes (Manager – Semiconductor)

*Research Methodology: This report is based on DataCube’s proprietary 3-stage forecasting model, combining primary research, secondary data triangulation, and expert validation. [Learn more]

Canada Cable Market Scope