Toronto Becomes First GTA Municipality to Fully Implement Next Generation 9-1-1 Across All Emergency Services

Enhanced digital system improves resiliency, cybersecurity, and response capabilities.

TORONTO – Toronto has reached a major public safety milestone, becoming the first municipality in the Greater Toronto Area — and among the first in Canada — to fully transition all emergency services to the Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) digital network. The City finalized the move earlier this month when Toronto Paramedic Services completed its system migration, following earlier transitions by Toronto Police Service in May and Toronto Fire Services in December 2023.

The achievement marks a significant step in modernizing how emergency calls are received, processed, and shared among Toronto’s first responders. The migration is part of a nationwide shift toward digital 9-1-1 infrastructure.

A Modern Emergency Network for a Growing City

NG9-1-1 replaces older analog systems with advanced digital technology, offering several key improvements:

• Faster and more accurate caller location and phone number data

• Enhanced cybersecurity safeguards to protect sensitive information

• Greater resiliency, with expanded backup systems to ensure continuity during outages

• Capacity for future innovations, including new digital tools and communication capabilities

For residents, calling 9-1-1 remains unchanged. The upgrades occur behind the scenes—improving how emergency professionals receive information and coordinate response efforts.

Since 2022, the Ontario government has invested more than $11 million to support NG9-1-1 implementation across the GTA.

City of Toronto becomes first municipality in the Greater Toronto Area to fully implement Next Generation 9-1-1 across all emergency services

News Release: https://t.co/aeGFHnz96r pic.twitter.com/Ddsz1VCBAq

— City of Toronto 🇨🇦 (@cityoftoronto) November 27, 2025

Officials Highlight Faster, Better-Informed Emergency Response

Provincial and municipal leaders emphasized that the new system will strengthen emergency response citywide.

Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones called the transition “a major step forward,” adding that improved data will help deploy paramedics more effectively.

Solicitor General Michael Kerzner described NG9-1-1 as “a game changer,” noting that real-time digital information will improve accuracy and coordination when seconds matter.

Toronto’s emergency service chiefs echoed those benefits:

• Toronto Paramedic Services receives more than 350,000 emergency medical calls per year. Chief Bikram Chawla said NG9-1-1 will allow call takers and dispatchers to work “more efficiently,” praising the years-long effort behind the upgrade.

• Toronto Fire Services Chief Jim Jessop noted that digital interoperability is already improving information sharing and response coordination.

• Toronto Police Service, which manages nearly two million calls annually, said the new system will help teams respond “faster and better-informed.”

A Major Milestone for Public Safety Modernization

With all three emergency services now operating on NG9-1-1, Toronto has set a regional benchmark for public safety technology preparedness. The enhancements are expected to support faster response times, streamline communication across agencies, and prepare the city for future digital tools that could expand emergency services capabilities.

Toronto continues to be one of Canada’s most technologically advanced municipal jurisdictions, with NG9-1-1 representing one of the most significant upgrades to emergency communications in decades.

Follow GTA Today on social media for more local news and updates. #GTAToday