As part of its plan to protect Ontario, the government is investing almost $22 million to help municipalities and emergency response centres support the transition to a new 9-1-1 communications system known as Next Generation 9-1-1.

"Every second counts when calling 9-1-1, and that's why we are taking action to ensure Ontario's emergency operators and dispatchers have access to state-of-the-art technology so that they can get help to where it's needed most," said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. "Extending Next Generation 9-1-1 funding for an additional year will support the continued adoption of this life-saving system, resulting in safer communities and a better-protected Ontario." 

Public safety answering points (PSAPs) that handle emergency calls, and have not yet transitioned to Next Generation 9-1-1, will have the opportunity to apply for the funding this summer. The funding is part of the government's $208 million investment to help municipalities and emergency response centres upgrade infrastructure and technology to support the transition to Next Generation 9-1-1. These upgrades include new telephone systems, call handling systems and internal network and cyber security infrastructure.

Once fully implemented, Next Generation 9-1-1 will make it easier to provide additional details about emergency situations such as video from the scene of an accident and to text 9-1-1 when requesting immediate help from police, fire or ambulance services. It will also give emergency operators and dispatchers the ability to identify the location of a call using GPS coordinates, resulting in a safer, faster and more informed emergency response.

Quick Facts

• There are 108 PSAPs across the province of Ontario that receive and process emergency calls.
• The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has extended the deadline for all phone and cell service companies to update their networks from analog to digital to March 31, 2027, so they are ready to provide Next Generation 9-1-1 services.
• The public will still be able to access 9-1-1 and other emergency communications throughout the transition to Next Generation 9-1-1.

Additional Resources

• Ontario Modernizing its Emergency Response System