Ontario Investing Over $4 Million for Next Generation of 9-1-1 Infrastructure in Peel

State-of-the-art technology for emergency services coming to
Mississauga and Brampton

Friday, February 16, 2024

MISSISSAUGA — Peel MPPs joined Peel Regional Police in Mississauga on Friday to announce that the Ontario government is investing over $3 million to Peel Regional Police and $1.8 million to the Peel Joint Fire Communications Centre to help transition emergency communications services technology to Next Generation 9-1-1.

“We appreciate the continued support that we have received from the Provincial Government for the upcoming launch of the Next Generation 9-1-1,” said Deputy Chief Anthony Odoardi of Peel Regional Police. “This new technology will allow us to respond more quickly and efficiently to meet the needs of our community. With access to new and enhanced voice and messaging services we are positioned to better respond to the upwards of 2300 calls our communications center receives daily.”

The Next Generation 9-1-1 services, once implemented, will enhance emergency services and save lives through upgraded call handling systems, cyber security, and networking infrastructure. Putting modern 9-1-1 technology at the fingertips of operators, dispatchers, and communicators will allow faster deployment of first responders to better protect the people of Ontario.

“Our government is committed to ensuring municipalities have the resources they need to keep Ontario safe,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner in a written statement. “This funding will help them upgrade to the Next Generation 9-1-1 system and allow emergency operators to receive voice and text messages and pinpoint the location of a caller using GPS. These efforts will result in a safer, faster and more informed emergency response.”

Next Generation 9-1-1 will enable voice, text messages, and data to flow seamlessly from the public to 9-1-1 communications centres. Emergency operators and dispatchers will also gain the ability to identify the location of a call using GPS coordinates.

“When faced with an emergency, 9-1-1 is a critical service that the people of Mississauga and Brampton rely on.” said Sheref Sabawy, Member of Provincial Parliament for Mississauga—Erin Mills. “Next-generation 9-1-1 will allow faster and better quality service, connecting citizens, dispatchers, and first responders seamlessly. I’m excited to see its implementation in the coming years.”

The federal Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission has mandated that emergency communications centres transition their networks from analog to digital by March of 2025. The funding provided by the province to municipalities will help facilitate this transition including the infrastructure upgrades required.

“At the heart of our commitment to public safety lies the transformation of our emergency communication infrastructure. This investment in Next Generation 9-1-1 technology demonstrates our government’s dedication to ensuring that residents receive the fastest and most effective response possible at a time when they need it the most,” said Minister Charmaine Williams, Member of Provincial Parliament for Brampton Centre.

This investment in Peel emergency services is just a part of a larger $208 million province-wide investment by the Ontario government to help the transition to Next Generation 9-1-1. This includes $78 million toward municipalities and emergency response centres for telecommunications infrastructure.

“Every second saved using Next Generation 9-1-1 means another second first responders get to help Brampton residents in critical situations,” said the Member of Provincial Parliament for Brampton North, Graham McGregor, in a written statement. “I want to thank Peel Region’s emergency services for their dedication to our public safety.”

Also in attendance at the announcement were Mississauga Councillors Matt Mahoney, Stephen Dasko, and Martin Reid. Mahoney serves on the Peel Police Services Board.

Today’s announcement at Peel Regional Police headquarters reaffirms Ontario’s commitment to supporting the emergency services sector as they undertake this important transition.

Media Contacts

Hunter Kell
Solicitor General’s Office
Hunter.Kell@ontario.ca

Brent Ross
Communications Branch
Brent.Ross@ontario.ca