Surrey’s NDP MLAs say funding will improve emergency response in the community

Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills

NEW Democrat MLAs Amna Shah, Jessie Sunner, Jagrup Brar, and Garry Begg say that emergency responders in Surrey will be better equipped to provide services to people, thanks to new funding for improved 911 communication systems.

“This funding is a huge step forward in modernizing our emergency services,” said Jessie Sunner, MLA for Surrey-Newton. “By upgrading to Next Generation 911, we’re making it easier for people to access help and giving dispatchers the tools they need, like photos and videos, to respond more effectively to emergencies.”

Surrey received $2,000,000 for Secondary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) funding, which includes Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system implementation, network capacity increase, and business continuity.

“This $2 million investment is a game-changer for Surrey’s emergency response capabilities,” said Amna Shah, MLA for Surrey City Centre. “It will enhance our dispatch systems, strengthen our network infrastructure, and ensure that critical services remain uninterrupted when people need them most.”

These upgrades and improvements will also help communities to prepare for the future implementation of Next Generation 911. This service will make the 911 system more accessible and allow callers to provide dispatchers with additional details about their emergency, including photos and videos.

“People in Surrey deserve the very best in emergency services, and this funding delivers exactly that,” said Garry Begg, MLA Surrey-Guildford. “It’s about keeping our community safe today and preparing for the future with reliable, cutting-edge technology.”

This funding is part of a total investment of $150 million to help B.C. prepare for the transition to Next Generation 911. E-Comm, which handles 99% of B.C.’s 911 call volume, received $90 million for technological upgrades. The remaining $60 million was distributed to communities through the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) to defray costs, such as staffing, training and quality assurance.

“This investment shows how committed we are to public safety across B.C.,” said Jagrup Brar, MLA for Surrey-Fleetwood. “With $150 million going toward Next Generation 911, including $90 million for E-Comm and $60 million for communities like ours, we’re building a faster, smarter emergency response system for everyone.”