September 23, 2025
RED FM News Desk
911 wait times in B.C. have stretched to over four minutes since the beginning of September, according to the union representing emergency communications workers.
The union, the Emergency Communications Professionals of BC, says these delays are a direct result of staff cuts at E-Comm, the province’s emergency communications agency.
Donald Grant, a spokesperson for the union, called the prolonged wait times “unacceptable,” and warned they could have life-or-death consequences. “What we have been seeing is that wait times have been getting longer and longer, and throughout this month we have been seeing unacceptable wait times of more than four minutes,” he said.
Grant explained that unlike some jurisdictions, B.C. does not have a law requiring immediate response to emergency calls. “In B.C. right now, there is no legislation requiring your call to be answered immediately and for help to be on the way fast,” he added.
According to Grant, E-Comm recently reduced staffing levels due to a funding shortfall.
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