Toronto may join growing number of American cities with 911 texting
TORONTO — A city council vote this week could set Toronto on the path to becoming the first jurisdiction in Canada where all residents can send text messages to 911 operators instead of calling them.
Coun. Norm Kelly is calling on the city to request that the Toronto Police Services Board consider adopting emergency texting.
Many parts of Canada, including Toronto and 500 other Ontario communities, offer 911 texting for people with hearing or speech impairments.
Text service for people with special needs also exists in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, most of Quebec, and parts of Alberta and British Columbia.