Staff Report to Council: E-Comm 911 Contract Renewal

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

E-Comm 911 provides 911 call answer and police dispatch services within the province, including throughout Langford and the West Shore. Since 2019, the Province has been funding the police dispatch service after it was transferred from the Langford Dispatch Centre to E-Comm. However, effective April 1, 2025, ten municipalities on Southern Vancouver Island were required to assume their respective costs for this service. Langford’s share of the levy is approximately $2 million for 2026.

In 2025 the Province undertook a review of E-Comm 911 which resulted in a number of recommendations to E-Comm for governance reforms. Once the recommendations have been implemented, the City will have a better idea of whether to continue with E-Comm or explore other more cost-effective options.

1 Information taken from E-Comm’s website

BACKGROUND:

Until February of 2019, 911 dispatch services for police was provided out of the Langford Dispatch Centre at the West Shore Detachment. With the requirement to move to NextGen technology, many municipalities were strongly encouraged to move to E-Comm 911, which now handles 99% of the 911 calls for the province1. In 2019, RCMP dispatch for the West Shore was moved to E-Comm 911 dispatch services, a corporation operated on a not-for-profit/cost recovery basis owned by lower mainland municipalities, police boards and other public bodies1. Fire dispatch services are not provided by E‑Comm but through the fire dispatch service in Surrey.

Effective April 2025, E-Comm 911 and the City of Langford entered into a contract for the period April 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, to allow for the services to continue while the parties negotiate a new, longer-term agreement. Subsequently, the Province initiated a service review of E-Comm which may result in a change in the service model. Until the changes are made, E-Comm is proposing to extend the terms of the existing agreement rather than negotiating new terms that could change significantly.

COMMENTARY:

The proposed extension requires the City to pay an estimated levy of $2 million in 2026. Terms for a new agreement will be brought forward to Council for approval once the structure has been determined. While this cost is high, it appears to be proportional based on the number of officers the City has as compared to the other south Island municipalities.

There are currently no other options with respect to RCMP dispatch; this is a service that must remain available to all citizens. The ten affected municipalities have been speaking regularly, and will work collaboratively to negotiate a contract that meets the needs of citizens and provides clear accountability to E-Comm. While negotiating a new agreement, staff will also explore alternative options for police dispatch.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

The levy for this year is nearly $2 million. These amounts have been factored into the 2026-2030 Five‑Year Financial Plan.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS:

Police dispatch is a mandatory service. The City does not have the infrastructure or equipment to provide dispatch services directly.

STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:

Collaborative Advocacy.

OPTIONS:

Option 1

THAT Council authorize the Mayor and CAO or Corporate Officer to enter into an agreement with E‑Comm 911 for the provision of police dispatch services on the terms as substantially attached, with such amendments as may be negotiated;

AND

THAT Council direct staff to report back to Council with further options once the governance and finance recommendations have been implemented by E‑Comm.

OR Option 2

Option 2

THAT Council authorize the Mayor and CAO or Corporate Officer to enter into an agreement with E‑Comm 911 for the provision of police dispatch services on the terms as substantially attached, with such amendments as may be negotiated;

AND

THAT Council direct staff to explore other options for 911 dispatch services.

SUBMITTED BY:

Marie Watmough, Director of Legislative & Protective Services

Concurrence:

• Melisa Miles, Manager of Legislative Services
• Donna Petrie, Senior Manager of Communications & Economic Development
• Yari Nielsen, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities
• Leah Stohmann, RPP, MCIP, Director of Community Planning and Development
• Katelyn Balzer, P.Eng., Director of Engineering and Public Works
• Michael Dillabaugh, CPA, CA, Director of Finance
• Marie Watmough, Director of Legislative & Protective Services
• Braden Hutchins, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
• Darren Kiedyk, Chief Administrative Officer

Attachments:

Attachment 1: Dispatch Services Agreement