Headlines News Hot topics
B.C. investment in 911 network supports safer communities

March 6, 2023, B.C. – B.C. is working with local governments to upgrade critical emergency communications services that will help improve emergency responses.

The province’s $150-million investment will fund upgrades to B.C.’s 911 emergency communications system, which is aging and increasingly incompatible with evolving technologies. The upgrades to Next Generation 911 will allow people the choice to contact 911 through new options, such as real-time text, and caller location features.

Pending approval by the legislative assembly, B.C.’s investment will help offset local governments’ costs for transitioning to Next Generation 911 and be divided into two parts:

• $90 million will be provided to E-Comm for technological upgrades; and
• $60 million will be provided to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) to defray costs, such as staffing, training, and quality assurance.

“Working together with municipalities, regional districts and First Nations to improve emergency communications is vital to enhancing public safety for people living in and travelling through the most remote parts of the province.”

The implementation of Next Generation 911 and the Connecting Communities BC program support government commitments to provide high-speed internet services and enhance 911 services in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.