Whitehorse: A national consultation on the future of 911 services in Canada is an ideal time for Yukoners to show their support for expanding services beyond Whitehorse, says Klondike MLA Sandy Silver. The CRTC has appointed a Commissioner to lead the review and invited Canadians to share their thoughts on how 911 services could be improved. The findings will be presented to the CRTC by the end of May 2013.
The lack of service outside of Whitehorse is a concern to all rural Yukoners and anyone who travels in rural Yukon,” he said. “I’m urging all residents in the Yukon to make sure the CRTC is aware of this shortcoming.”
Silver raised the lack of service with the Government of Yukon during the recent fall sitting and received a lukewarm response for the Minister of Community Services.
“Clearly, this has not been a priority item for the government,” he said. “The more responses the CRTC gets from Yukoners, the better. Perhaps that will lead to some action from the government.”
Silver congratulated Dawson City Fire Chief Jim Regimbal for leading the lobbying effort to see the service expanded to rural Yukon.
“Jim has gathered the support of the Association of Yukon Communities, the Association of Yukon Fire Chiefs, the Dawson City Firefighters Association and the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs,” he said. “The CRTC hearing is one more avenue for Yukoners to make their voices heard.”
Even the CRTC seems to be unaware of the lack of coverage, according to Silver.
“An information sheet about the consultation says “Basic 9-1-1 is provided in Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon and the Northwest Territories,”” he noted. “Anyone living outside of the Whitehorse knows this is not the case.”
Yukoners can participate in this consultation by:
- filling out the online form https://services.crtc.gc.ca/pub/instances-proceedings/Default-Defaut.aspx?Lang=eng&YA=2012&S=O&PA=t&PT=nc&PST=a#2012-686
- writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N2, or
- sending a fax, at 819-994-0218.
Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2012-686
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For additional information contact:
Jason Cunning 667-8942
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