Ottawa is growing impatient with the recurring problems of access in French to the 911 emergency call centers. In a letter to the CRTC, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne said he expected the organization to act “as soon as possible” to improve the situation.
“I will take further action if the situation is not resolved quickly,” asserts the letter.
His intervention follows articles from La Presse this week on unilingual English-speaking services to emergency services, from Quebec. The calls in question are made via internet telephone networks, or even the cellular network, but in a remote area not served by an emergency center.
“I am deeply troubled by the multiple reports of French-speaking Canadians who called 911 and who were served in English,” he wrote in the letter, made public on the X network.
The problem “requires immediate attention from the Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)”, the body it oversees and which regulates the industry, said Minister Champagne.
“I know the CRTC is taking steps to address this important issue,” he said. However, it is clear that a more serious problem exists and that it must be resolved, and quickly. »
The minister also has a message for the telecommunications industry, which he asks “to tackle the issue with the speed and seriousness that is necessary.”
“This is a matter of public safety,” he wrote. We cannot allow technical problems to compromise the safety of Canadians. »
Minister Champagne says he is “extremely concerned about what could have happened”.
“Canadians rely on 911 emergency services when faced with life-threatening situations. »
He emphasizes that “lives can be lost” if a person in distress cannot communicate quickly with emergency services.