Media Release: Crisis Centre of BC Welcomes E-Comm 911 Review and Calls for Province-Wide Integration of Mental Health Crisis Lines as a Fourth 911 Option

Crisis Centre of BC Welcomes E-Comm 911 Review and Calls for Province-Wide Integration of Mental Health Crisis Lines as a Fourth 911 Option

Vancouver, B.C. — November 10, 2025 — The Crisis Centre of BC welcomes the findings of the Province’s Independent Review of E-Comm 911 and is encouraged by the recognition of ongoing collaboration between E-Comm and the Crisis Centre of BC to integrate mental health crisis response into B.C.’s emergency-communications system.

The report notes that “E-Comm has been collaborating with the Crisis Centre of BC to explore the integration of mental health calls.” This a vital and overdue step toward ensuring that British Columbians in mental health crisis or at risk of suicide can receive timely, compassionate, and trauma-informed support through a trusted three digit phone number.

“This review marks a pivotal moment for B.C.,” said Stacy Ashton, Executive Director of the Crisis Centre of BC. “We share the Province’s commitment to building a sustainable, responsive 911 system, and we know that the next critical step is to fully integrate mental health crisis lines, like 310-6789, as a fourth option when British Columbians dial 911.”

Ashton emphasized that integrating crisis lines directly into 911 call-taking would ensure people in distress are met with the right response, from the right people, at the right time. “When someone is in a mental health crisis or thinking about suicide, they need to be met with care, not criminalization,” Ashton said. “Embedding mental health crisis lines within 911 will create a more trauma-informed and people-centred system, one that saves lives and reflects the values of care, compassion, and community safety that British Columbians expect.”

The Crisis Centre of BC is urging the Province to build on the recommendations of the E-Comm review by developing sustainable funding models to support integration, including implementation of the 911 mobile-phone levy already endorsed through multiple resolutions of the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM). This funding would help scale collaboration between E-Comm, the Crisis Centre of BC, and other partners to create a comprehensive continuum of care for those experiencing mental health and suicide-related crisis.

“B.C. has the opportunity to lead the country,” Ashton added. “By establishing mental health and suicide response as the fourth option within 911, we can place compassion and connection at the heart of public safety. This will put our province at the forefront of mental health crisis response in Canada.”

The Crisis Centre of BC will continue to work closely with E-Comm, the Province, and local governments to advance a unified, trauma-informed approach to crisis response that ensures every call for help is answered with the care and expertise it deserves.

Media Contact
Stacy Ashton
Executive Director, Crisis Centre of BC
(604) 872-1811 extension 224
sashton@crisiscentre.bc.ca