Infrastructure field guideEvidence-linked Canadian dataRequest service

Internet exchanges

Where Canadian networks exchange traffic

Browse 12 community internet exchanges listed by CIRA. Each name links to the exchange operator.

Check directly with each exchange for current ports, members, traffic, pricing and points of presence. The MBIX website uses an unsecured HTTP connection; its CIRA listing is also linked below.

What an internet exchange does

An internet exchange provides shared switching infrastructure where participating networks can exchange traffic under their own routing policies. It can shorten some paths, keep traffic local and create additional peering options. It does not automatically provide internet transit, a private cloud circuit, a cross-connect to every facility or a managed failover service. Each organization still needs a port or transport path, an approved routing arrangement and the operational skill to maintain it.

The city in this table is a market reference. Exchange operators can publish more than one point of presence, and a participant may reach the exchange through a remote transport provider. Confirm the current locations, supported port speeds, route-server policy, fees, member requirements and service contacts directly with the exchange. Keep the answer dated because membership and points of presence can change.

CIRA-listed community internet exchanges
ExchangeNameLocationCIRA listingLast checked
TORIXToronto Internet ExchangeToronto, OntarioCIRA2026-07-14
QIXMontréal Internet ExchangeMontréal, QuebecCIRA2026-07-14
VANIXVancouver Internet ExchangeVancouver, British ColumbiaCIRA2026-07-14
YYCIXCalgary Internet ExchangeCalgary, AlbertaCIRA2026-07-14
OGIXOttawa-Gatineau Internet ExchangeOttawa-Gatineau, Ontario and QuebecCIRA2026-07-14
YEGIXEdmonton Internet ExchangeEdmonton, AlbertaCIRA2026-07-14
MBIXWebsite uses HTTPManitoba Internet ExchangeWinnipeg, ManitobaCIRA2026-07-14
HFXIXHalifax Internet ExchangeHalifax, Nova ScotiaCIRA2026-07-14
YXEIXSaskatoon Internet ExchangeSaskatoon, SaskatchewanCIRA2026-07-14
MonctonIXMoncton Internet ExchangeMoncton, New BrunswickCIRA2026-07-14
SJIXSaint John Internet ExchangeSaint John, New BrunswickCIRA2026-07-14
PEIXPrince Edward Island Internet ExchangeCharlottetown, Prince Edward IslandCIRA2026-07-14

Use the list in a facility review

Start with the networks the workload must reach. Ask whether they participate at the exchange and whether the intended route is available at the selected facility. A building can be close to an exchange without offering the required cross-connect. An operator can also market access through a partner rather than host the switching platform. Obtain the demarcation point, provider, order path, installation interval and recurring charges before treating the connection as part of the design.

Review physical and logical diversity separately. Two carriers may share an entrance, riser, conduit or upstream transport path. Two physical paths may still rely on one router, firewall cluster, identity service or domain-name provider. Trace the service from the data-centre cabinet to the business application and state the failure each alternate path is expected to survive. The connectivity planning guide provides a field sequence for that work.

Test routing and recovery as an operating process

A useful acceptance test measures route establishment, expected prefixes, filtering, traffic flow, monitoring, alert delivery and the user-visible result. Test loss of a circuit, router and upstream provider when the approved method and rollback are ready. Record convergence time, sessions affected, manual actions and the restored state. Include the return to normal service because failback can expose asymmetric routing or stale application sessions.

Use this directory as a current research index. Cite CIRA for the community exchange list and the operator for technical or commercial details. Keep sensitive route drawings, credentials and administrative contacts in controlled records. For nearby facilities, open the metro guidesand individual facility sources, then verify any claimed exchange relationship with the parties that operate it.