E-Comm 911 has begun its phased migration to the Next Generation 911 (NG911) network, with staggered migrations starting September 22 and continuing until the end of November 2026. To accompany the phased migration, E-Comm has provided a communications guide and partner toolkit for local government and agency partners.
Other agencies, including various primary and secondary answering points, are undertaking NG911 activations or will do so soon.
NG911 Funding Program
After several successful intakes, roughly $7.5 million remained of the funding allocated by the Province to assist local governments with the transition to NG911. UBCM worked with the Ministry of Citizens’ Services to revise the eligibility criteria for 2027. The primary intent of the 2027 intake is to support the establishment of three-digit 911 dialing services in communities in BC where appropriate connectivity exists and where the community currently relies on ten-digit emergency numbers. Applications are currently being accepted until November 13, 2026.
Financial Implications
Implementation of NG911, combined with the end of provincial funding for local government transitions (once implementation is complete), will create financial pressures for local governments, as the funders of 911 services. It is anticipated that local governments will experience these pressures in 2027; and further financial pressures may come to bear on local governments in 2029/30, when many of E-Comm’s vendor contracts with NG911 service providers will be up for renewal.
Background
A federally mandated transition to Next Generation 911 services is in process for most regions of BC. While the initial implementation phase will only include basic services, NG911 may eventually include improved location accuracy, text messaging, picture messaging, and audio and video streaming. The transition to NG911 services began in Fall 2025, with some Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) bringing their systems online.
Funding for local governments totalling $60 million was provided by the Province of BC, with the intent to support local preparedness for the implementation of NG911, and to provide funding to eligible recipients to support the transition and operational readiness of existing 911 services to NG911, in compliance with the federal mandate. The Next Generation 911 funding program is administered by UBCM on behalf of the Ministry of Citizens' Services.