News
Provincial government introduces new emergency 911 legislation

Apr. 5, 2022, Newfoundland – The new proposed legislation, ‘Emergency 911 Act’, has begun second reading in the House of Assembly. If passed, the new Act will guide the transition of the NL911 Bureau into the Department of Justice and Public Safety.

This change will not affect the 911 service to the public and calls to 911 will continue to be answered and routed to first responders. NL911 staff will be transitioned into core government.

The department would have direct oversight over the 911 service. This will ensure NL911 is part of the consolidation and coordination of public safety and emergency services functions within the Emergency Services branch of government, including the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre, a province wide emergency public safety radio system and the implementation of recommendations from the Inquiry into Ground Search and Rescue for Lost and Missing Persons in Newfoundland and Labrador. It will bring the province in line with most jurisdictions in Canada that have their 911 services as part of their government departmental structures.

While Next Generation 911 is not yet available in any jurisdiction in Canada, government’s intention is to move forward with the Next Generation 911. The department will work closely with partners to move this project forward.