MPP Sabawy’s motion, supported by Ontario MPPs, encourages the province’s Solicitor General to explore the feasibility of standardizing a three-digit non-emergency number.
Friday, May 15, 2026
NEWS
TORONTO – Members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario unanimously passed a motion on Thursday — supported by all the parties — that calls for exploring a three-digit non-emergency police phone number.
The motion, proposed by Sheref Sabawy, Member of Provincial Parliament for Mississauga—Erin Mills, attempts to address concerns about the overuse of the 9-1-1 phone number. It proposes the standardization of a three-digit non-emergency police phone number in Ontario.
The motion was tabled in the House on March 31st, then debated and passed on May 14th.
The motion recognizes that the 9-1-1 phone system is frequently overwhelmed by calls which are not emergencies in nature. Between 35% – 45% of daily 9-1-1 calls in regions such as Peel and Toronto are non-emergencies. These non-emergencies waste 9-1-1 operators’ time, and delay real emergencies from getting immediate emergency support.
MPP Sabawy’s motion proposes the implementation of a three-digit phone number that would redirect non-emergency calls to the local police department’s existing non-emergency phone line, bypassing 9-1-1 dispatch services. Additionally, the motion proposes standardizing the number province-wide so that all municipalities share the same number.
The motion of the Legislative Assembly reads, “That, in the opinion of this House, the Solicitor General should explore the feasibility of standardizing a province-wide three-digit phone number to consolidate all non-emergency calls across the province and explore this initiative’s viability to prevent the overuse of non-emergency calls made to 9-1-1.”
The implementation of a three-digit phone number will not be immediate, but this motion will begin a period of consultation. The Ontario Legislature calls on the Solicitor General to explore the feasibility of implementing and standardizing the number province-wide. This will require coordination with partners — including local police, telecommunications providers, the federal Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission, and other stakeholders — to ensure a coordinated implementation.
“I am proud that my motion for a three-digit non-emergency number was passed,” said MPP Sabawy in a written statement. “By adopting a three-digit number, we can make it easier for Ontarians to quickly remember and call the police’s non-emergency phone line.”
In August 2025, Toronto Police implemented a three-digit non-emergency number, *877. Toronto residents on mobile networks of Rogers, Bell, TELUS, Freedom Mobile, and their subsidiaries can dial *877 to connect to the non-emergency phone line. In the first four months, Toronto Police received over 11,000 phone calls through this phone number. This success has prompted calls for other municipalities to likewise adopt a three-digit non-emergency number.
The motion was debated in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, May 14, 2026, and was supported by members of all official parties. MPPs speaking in favour of the motion included Sheref Sabawy (PC, Mississauga—Erin Mills), Logan Kanapathi (PC, Markham—Thornhill), Paul Vickers (PC, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound), Bill Rosenberg (PC, Algoma—Manitoulin), John Vanthof (NDP, Timiskaming—Cochrane), and Andrea Hazell (Lib., Scarborough—Guildwood).
MPP Sabawy’s motion complements the province’s existing actions to strengthen emergency services, including the ongoing implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1. By taking action to be innovative and use technology to improve 9-1-1, the government of Ontario is fulfilling its promise to protect Ontario by cleaning up our streets, supporting police and emergency services, and improving efficiency in the delivery of government services.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Ontario Supporting New Emergency Communications System to Protect People, Families and Communities
- Peel Regional Police Non-Emergencies (905-453-3311)
FUN FACTS
This motion is MPP Sabawy’s fourth Private Member’s Public Business item to pass a vote in the House. In 2019, his proposal of an Egyptian Heritage Month (July) received royal assent. In 2021, his proposed bill, the Ontario Religious Freedom Day Act, passed second reading. In 2024, his Ukrainian Heritage Month (September) bill received royal assent.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Office of MPP Sheref Sabawy:
Constituency Office: 4181 Sladeview Cres, Unit 40 Mississauga ON L5L 5R2
Phone: 905-820-8851
Email: Sheref.Sabawy@pc.ola.org
Caleb Samuels, Legislative Assistant to MPP Sabawy
Email: Caleb.Samuels@pc.ola.org