NDP reintroduces 911 Everywhere in Ontario bill

QUEEN'S PARK—NDP MPP France Gélinas was joined by MPPs Guy Bourgouin, Sol Mamakwa, John Vanthof and Lise Vaugeois to discuss the reintroduction of a bill to ensure that 911 emergency response is available everywhere in Ontario.

"The long weekend is here, Ontarians are taking their first road trips of the summer, but most are not aware that large areas of our province don't have 911 emergency response," said Gélinas. "In many parts of the province, especially those represented by the members standing beside me, calling 911 gives you an automated response that says: this number is not-in-service, please try your call again. Unfortunately, this has had and will continue to have fatal consequences."

The NDP's bill is based on the recommendations made by Ontario's Chief Coroner after the tragic death of Kathryn Missen and the boating accident deaths of Matthew Humeniuk, Michael Kritz and Stephanie Bertrand on Lake Wahnapitae in Nickel Belt. The Coroner's inquest found that 911 emergency services failed them.

9-1-1 Everywhere in Ontario Act, 2023, has three parts. The first will do away with 1-800 numbers in case of emergency and migrate to 911 everywhere in Ontario. Secondly, the bill will implement the Ontario Chief Coroner's recommendations to improve the 911 emergency system. Lastly, it will give the Ombudsman the responsibility to investigate complaints against the 911 system.

"By supporting this bill, we can take action on the Coroner's recommendations to improve our system so that these tragedies were not in vain. This law will also help people regain confidence in this critical service," MPP Gélinas said.

"Ontario is the only province that still needs a 911 emergency response throughout the province," said Vanthof. "This has to change. The technology exists. We are in 2023; nobody else should suffer or die because they did not know what number to call for help."

If you are in Nickel Belt near Foleyet or Gogama and you require emergency services, you must dial the following:
1-888-310-1122 for police
1-877-351-2345 for ambulance in Gogama & Foleyet
1-888-571-3473 for fire services in Gogama
1-800-247-6603 for fire services in Foleyet

For Cartier
(705) 673-1117 for ambulance
(705) 673-1542 for fire services

Whereas in Estaire-Wanup Fire Department is 705-507-9116, ambulance 705-673-1117 and police is 888-310-1122."

MPP Guy Bourgoing shared emergency numbers that his constituents need to remember. If you live in Attawapiskat, you must dial:

705-278-1111 for ambulance services
1-888-319-1122 for police dispatch emergency services
1-800-461-4138 for the fire department emergencies

If you are in Kashechewan:
705-275-4004 for ambulance services
1-800-549-6277 for police dispatch emergency services
705-275-9940 for the fire department emergencies

If you are in Fort Albany:
705-278-1111for ambulance services
1-888-310-1122 for police dispatch emergency services
705-278-1044 for the fire department emergencies

And here are some examples of the numbers people in MPP Mamakwa's riding of Kiiwetinoong must remember in case of emergency:

Pickle Lake, Fire and Health Emergency 807-928-2255
Police 807-928-2211

First Nations fire services, most contact would be through the band office.

In fly-in First Nations, there is a separate number for nursing stations, and policing is noted where available.

Bearskin Lake First Nation - Band Office
NAPS (police): 807-363-1051

Cat Lake First Nation - Band Office
807-347-2100
NAPS (police): 807-347-2099

Deer Lake First Nation - Band Office
807-775-2141
NAPS (police): 807-775-9954

Eabametoong First Nation - Band Office
807-242-7221

Fort Severn First Nation
NAPS (police): 807-478-2571

Kasabonika Lake First Nation - Band Office
807-535-2547

Keewaywin First Nation
NAPS (police): 807-771-1177

Kingfisher Lake First Nation

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug

Lac Seul First Nation
Frenchman's Head - Band Office 807-582-3503
Nursing Station: 807-582-3512

Lac Seul First Nation
Kejick Bay - Band Office 807-582-3211
Nursing Station: 807-582-3512

Lac Seul First Nation
Whitefish Bay - Band Office 807-582-3228
Nursing Station: 807-582-3293

All of Lac Seul uses the OPP Non-Emergency number to reach the police, but they have a standalone police service: 1-888-310-1122

Mishkeegogamang First Nation - Band Office
807-928-2414
NAPS (police): 807-928-2724

Muskrat Dam First Nation
Band Office: 807-471-2573
NAPS (police): 807-471-9911

Neskantaga First Nation
Band Office 807-479-2570

Nibinamik First Nation
Volunteer Fire Department: 807-593-2131

North Caribou Lake First Nation (Weagamow/Round Lake)
Fire Department: 807-469-5191

North Spirit Lake First Nation
NAPS (police): 807-776-0025

Ojibway Nation of Saugeen

Pikangikum First Nation - Band Office
807-773-5578
Police: OPP

Poplar Hill First Nation
NAPS (police): 807-772-1030

Sachigo Lake First Nation
Volunteer Fire Department: 807-595-2527
NAPS (police): 807-595-2599

Sandy Lake First Nation - Volunteer Fire Department
Sandy Lake Fire Department 807-774-3421
NAPS (police): 807-774-4471

Slate Falls Nation - Band Office - Volunteer Fire Department
807-737-5700
NAPS (police): 807-737-5755

Wapekeka First Nation
Band Office: 807-537-2315

Wabauskang First Nation

Webequie First Nation
Band Office: 807-353-6531

Wunnumin Lake First Nation
Band Office: 807-442-2559