MPP Sabawy’s motion would, if passed, encourage Ontario’s Solicitor General to explore the feasibility of standardizing a three-digit non-emergency number.
To address concerns about the overuse of the 9-1-1 phone number, Sheref Sabawy, Member of Provincial Parliament for Mississauga—Erin Mills, is proposing a motion that would, if passed, call for the standardization of a three-digit non-emergency police phone number in Ontario.
This proposal recognizes that the 9-1-1 phone system is frequently overwhelmed by calls which are not emergencies in nature. Between 35% – 45% of daily 9-1-1 calls in regions such as Peel and Toronto are non-emergencies. These non-emergencies waste 9-1-1 operators’ time, and delay real emergencies from getting immediate emergency support.
MPP Sabawy’s private member’s motion proposes the implementation of a three-digit phone number that would redirect non-emergency calls to the local police department’s existing non-emergency phone line, bypassing 9-1-1 dispatch services. Additionally, the motion proposes standardizing the number province-wide so that all municipalities share the same number. The motion introduced to the Ontario Legislature calls on the Solicitor General to explore the feasibility of implementing and standardizing this number.
“No one should be discouraged from calling 9-1-1 for real emergencies. However, in cases of non-emergencies, Ontarians should instead contact their local police department using the non-emergency phone line to keep 9-1-1 clear,” said MPP Sabawy. “By adopting a three-digit number, we can make it easier for Ontarians to quickly remember and call the police’s non-emergency phone line.”
In August 2025, Toronto Police implemented a three-digit non-emergency number, *877. Toronto residents on mobile networks of Rogers, Bell, TELUS, Freedom Mobile, and their subsidiaries can dial *877 to connect to the non-emergency phone line. In the first four months, Toronto Police received over 11,000 phone calls through this phone number. This success has prompted calls for other municipalities to likewise adopt a three-digit non-emergency number.
MPP Sabawy’s motion would complement the province’s existing actions to strengthen emergency services, including the ongoing implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1. By taking action to be innovative in improving 9-1-1, the government of Ontario is fulfilling its promise to protect Ontario by cleaning up our streets, supporting police and emergency services, and improving efficiency in the delivery of government services.
Debate on MPP Sabawy’s Private Member’s Public Business motion is scheduled for mid-May.
