Ontario investing more than $200M in 911 emergency response

According to a recent press release, the government of Ontario is investing $208 million over three years to enhance the province’s 9-1-1 emergency response system.

The investment will enable technology and infrastructure upgrades to support the transition to Next Generation 9-1-1, which is mandated to take place by March 4, 2025 by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)

The new NG 9-1-1 system is designed to provide additional details regarding emergency situations, including video from the scene of an accident, and to text 9-1-1 when requesting help from emergency services.

Operators and dispatchers will also have the ability to identify the location of a caller using GPS coordinates.

“Emergency operators, dispatchers and communicators are heroes of public safety, and putting modern 9-1-1 technology at their fingertips will support efforts for faster deployment of first responders and better protect the people of Ontario,” said Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General, in a statement. “Our significant investment will enable the transition to a state-of-the-art emergency communications system that safeguards people, families and communities.”

The Ontario government said it will work “hand in hand” with municipalities, First Nations, and the emergency communications sector to enable the transition. The designated funding will support the purchase of equipment, modernize infrastructure and provide call centre training.