Peel Region is reconsidering plans to fine residents for misusing 911 services, thanks to the success of the new Next Generation 911 (NG 911) technology. This advanced system has significantly improved response times and enhanced the ability to filter out non-emergency calls.
Police report that NG 911’s faster and more efficient response mechanism is proving effective in distinguishing genuine emergencies from erroneous or non-critical calls. As a result, Peel Police have requested that the Region pause the development of a fine protocol.
Last year, the Region began exploring fines as a deterrent to combat the overwhelming volume of non-emergency 911 calls. At the time, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown described the 911 system as being at a “breaking point,” with police fielding approximately 1,800 calls daily—40 percent of which were deemed unnecessary due to negligence or misuse.
However, with the successful implementation of NG 911 technology, combined with public education campaigns and additional staffing, Peel Police now believe these measures could reduce system pressures to a manageable level without the need for fines.
In a report to Peel Region councillors, police emphasized that NG 911’s capabilities, when paired with ongoing monitoring and public awareness initiatives, might render fines unnecessary. They have also requested additional time to analyze the effectiveness of the new system before making a final decision on penalties for misuse.
Peel Region councillors will review this recommendation at an upcoming meeting, determining whether the improved system and its benefits warrant shelving the proposed fines indefinitely.
If approved, this decision could mark a turning point in the Region’s approach to managing emergency services, focusing on technology and education rather than punitive measures to address non-emergency 911 calls.