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Bill 107, 9-1-1 Everywhere in Ontario Act, 2023

Gélinas, France

Mamakwa, Sol

Vanthof, John

Vaugeois, Lise

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Acts affected

Original

Bill 107 Original (PDF)

EXPLANATORY

NOTE

The

Bill enacts the 9-1-1 Everywhere in Ontario Act, 2023

which requires the Solicitor General or such other member of the Executive

Council as may be assigned the administration of the Act under the Executive Council Act to fulfil various obligations

related to the provision of and infrastructure for 9-1-1 services. The Act also

places certain obligations on persons or entities who operate a 9-1-1 call

centre respecting the staffing, supervision and training of staff.

The

Bill also amends the Ombudsman Act to establish the

position of Assistant Ombudsman responsible for the oversight of 9-1-1

operations and the Assistant Ombudsman’s functions, which include assisting the

Ombudsman with investigations relating to the provision of 9-1-1 services.

Bill 107 2023

Act to enact the 9-1-1 Everywhere in Ontario Act, 2023 and to amend the

Ombudsman Act to create an Assistant Ombudsman responsible for the oversight of

9-1-1 operations

His

Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the

Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Definition

this Act,

“Minister”

means the Solicitor General or such other member of the Executive Council as

may be assigned the administration of this Act under the Executive

Council Act .

Duty

re 9-1-1

(1) The

Minister shall take all necessary steps to ensure that,

(

a) the

infrastructure is in place such that any individual across Ontario who dials

9-1-1 is connected to,

(

i) a

call centre responsible for answering calls to 9-1-1 for police, ambulance and

fire services, or

(ii) the

police service with jurisdiction in the area from which the call is placed;

(

b) the

infrastructure is in place such that 9-1-1 call centres responsible for

answering calls to 9-1-1 and police, ambulance and fire services may operate on

the same or compatible computer aided dispatch systems by December 2023 that

allow for,

(

i) the

immediate sharing of information among these services,

(ii) use

of a re-bid feature to request caller location information, and

(iii) users

of the system to emphasize critical information and escalate alerts the greater

the delay in dispatching assistance;

(

c) the

infrastructure is in place to permit 9-1-1 call centre personnel to obtain

updated location information from cellular service providers;

(

d) the

infrastructure is in place that allows bi-directional real-time computer aided

dispatch data to be available to emergency responders on mobile data terminals

or any other data transfer device used by emergency responders; and

(

e) emergency

resources are identified in all municipalities for dealing with a water rescue,

including availability of police or fire boats, launch points and personnel and

that this information is made available to all 9-1-1 call takers and

dispatchers and their supervisors.

Interoperable

radio channel

(2) The

Minister shall take all necessary steps to establish an interoperable radio

channel for use by the Ministry of Health and police, ambulance and fire

services for use during a multi-agency response to a 9-1-1 call.

Measures

to ensure better communication

(3) The

Minister shall investigate measures, including equipment and facilities, to

assist 9-1-1 call takers and dispatchers and their supervisors to effectively

listen to and understand information being communicated from callers and

colleagues.

Duty

to assist

(4) Any

other member of the Executive Council shall provide any assistance to the

Minister that the Minister requires in order to fulfil the obligations under

this section.

Responsibilities

re 9-1-1 services

(1) Any

person or entity that operates a call centre responsible for answering calls to

9-1-1 for police, ambulance and fire services shall ensure that,

(

a) the

call centre is appropriately staffed to handle its call volume and to permit

individuals with supervisory roles to focus on their supervisory duties and not

be required to take 9-1-1 calls or perform dispatching duties;

(b) 9-1-1

call takers and dispatchers are adequately trained and have completed any

industry recognized professional certification required by the Minister;

(

c) supervisors

of 9-1-1 call takers and dispatchers are trained in the software used by the

individuals they supervise and that supervisors are able to communicate

directly with each other;

(

d) appropriate

supports are provided to 9-1-1 call takers and dispatchers and their

supervisors, including mental health supports and support for post-traumatic

stress disorder;

(e) 9-1-1

call takers and dispatchers have the capacity to monitor computer aided

dispatch information at all times;

(

f) front

line emergency service responders are able to communicate directly with other

responders and dispatchers;

(

g) the

call centre operates on the compatible computer aided dispatch system referred

to in clause 2 (1) (

b) as of January 1, 2024; and

(

h) a

policy is put in place that meets the requirements of subsection (2) and that

9-1-1 personnel receive training on the policy.

Policy

(2) The

policy mentioned in clause (1) (

h) shall address the following matters:

1. How

to permit callers who are unable to verbally communicate their needs to

communicate through other means.

2. Circumstances

in which it is appropriate to permit front line emergency service responders to

communicate directly with a caller.

3. Circumstances

in which a medical tiered response is engaged, including simultaneous

notification.

4. Who

is accountable in cases of unnecessary delays in dispatching emergency services.

5. Circumstances

in which 9-1-1 call takers and dispatchers must consult with their supervisors

before making a particular decision.

6. How

to identify and acknowledge critical information during radio communications.

7. Mandatory

internal reviews in circumstances where 9-1-1 services were sought in

connection with the death of an individual and a close relative, as defined in

subsection 2 (1) of the Freedom of Information and

Protection of Privacy Act , of that individual or a person responsible

for providing the 9-1-1 services has identified a concern about the manner in

which the 9-1-1 services were provided. The internal review must include

consultations with staff both during and upon completion of the review.

Crown

bound

This

Act binds the Crown.

Amendments

to the Ombudsman Act

Section 8 of the Ombudsman Act is amended by adding

the following subsections:

Assistant

Ombudsman, 9-1-1 operations

(1.1) The

Ombudsman shall designate an individual from among the employees of the

Ombudsman as the Assistant Ombudsman responsible for the oversight of 9-1-1

operations.

Same

(1.2) The

Assistant Ombudsman responsible for the oversight of 9-1-1 operations shall,

(

a) assist

the Ombudsman in conducting any investigation under subsection 14 (1) that relates

to the provision of 9-1-1 services;

(

b) provide

a close relative, as defined in subsection 2 (1) of the Freedom

of Information and Protection of Privacy Act , of an individual with

information related to an investigation referred to in clause (

a) if the

investigation relates to the death of the individual;

(

c) develop

and implement a public awareness campaign on the purpose of 9-1-1 services,

including information on alternative numbers for reaching police in

non-emergency situations;

(

d) investigate

methods to deter inappropriate and accidental use of 9-1-1 services; and

(

e) on

or before April 1 in each year, prepare an annual report on the Assistant

Ombudsman’s activities over the course of the previous year and make the report

available to the public.

Disclosure

(1.3) Clause

(1.2) (

b) applies despite subsection 7.3 (1).

Commencement

This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short

title

The

short title of this Act is the 9-1-1 Everywhere in Ontario Act, 2023 .

Date Bill stage Event Outcome Committee

May 15, 2023

First Reading

Ordered for Second Reading

May 15, 2023

First Reading

Vote

Carried

First Reading

May 15, 2023

Carried